A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million to address harms to young people from Facebook and Instagram in the second phase of a landmark trial. The ruling brings Meta's total penalties in the case to over $1 billion and requires sweeping protections for teen users.
A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million in the second phase of a landmark child safety lawsuit, adding to a $375 million penalty from March. The ruling requires Meta to address harms to young people on Instagram and Facebook and make platform changes.
The Senate Commerce Committee passed a version of the Kids Online Safety Act that includes the hallmark duty of care provision, which the House had previously stripped from its version, marking significant progress for the social media safety bill.
Australia's eSafety Commissioner filed civil penalty proceedings against Telegram seeking up to A$54.6 million ($38 million), alleging the platform failed to comply with removal notices for terrorism-related content.
A federal judge on July 14, 2026, blocked the Trump administration from enforcing a policy that would deny visas to and deport foreign nationals who study disinformation and hate speech on social media platforms.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans to limit young children's access to social media across the EU's 27 member states, following recommendations from an expert panel that called for restricting access for those under 13 until tech companies prove their platforms are safe.
The Australian government announced it will double maximum penalties for social media platforms breaching its under-16 age ban to $99 million, after data showed seven in ten children remained active on platforms three months after the world-first law took effect. Experts warn the government must now shift to aggressive enforcement against tech giants.
House Energy and Commerce Committee leadership announced a bipartisan agreement on legislation requiring social media platforms to provide safeguards and tools for minors and parents, marking significant progress on a major policy issue.
German public broadcaster ZDF removed portions of a TV broadcast after Elon Musk initiated legal action over claims linking him to unrest in Belfast/Northern Ireland. The dispute has sparked major controversy across Germany.
India blocked the Telegram messaging app until June 22, citing its use to defraud candidates taking the national medical entrance examination (NEET). The restriction follows widespread protests and exam cancellations after allegations of paper leaks, sparking the viral 'Cockroach Janta Party' youth movement.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on June 15, 2026, that the UK will ban social media platforms including Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook and X from offering services to children under 16. Experts and affected teenagers have raised concerns about enforcement challenges and the policy's effectiveness.
The Canadian government introduced digital safety legislation on Wednesday that would restrict social media access for children under 16, with exemptions for platforms meeting certain safety standards. The move follows Australia's enactment of the world's first social media ban for young people and comes ahead of next week's G7 summit.
The Trump administration has submitted a formal objection to the UK government's consultation on banning social media for under-16s, arguing such restrictions would impose a disproportionate burden on American technology companies. UK Tech Secretary Liz Kendall responded that Britain will not be swayed by the intervention and remains focused on British parents' concerns.
Malaysia's communications regulator has started enforcing new rules barring children under 16 from registering social media accounts, joining a growing global movement to protect minors from harmful online content.
