What does the Instagram and YouTube verdict mean for the UK's proposed social media ban?

A California jury has found Meta and Google liable in a case that accused them of building intentionally addictive platforms.

Here in the UK, the government is consulting on whether to ban children from using social media. Australia and Spain have already implemented similar bans, and France has backed a ban for under-15s.

So, are the social media giants facing a reckoning? And should the government intervene in our kids’ social media use?

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Hannah Barnes.

READ: Parents must also take responsibility for online safety

https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/social-media/2026/03/parents-must-also-take-responsibility-for-online-safety

LISTEN AD-FREE:

📱Download the New Statesman app

MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:

❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday

⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning

✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.