Meta and Google are funding trusted children's brands like Sesame Street, Girl Scouts, and Highlights magazine to teach kids about technology moderation, even as their apps are designed to keep young users hooked, according to internal documents and public statements.
Alphabet's Google and Meta's partnerships are drawing criticism for encouraging dependency on social media among children under 12. Parent advocates say this weakens trust in iconic institutions at a time when both companies face multiple lawsuits alleging addictive products that harm youth mental health. The first trial resulted in a $6 million judgment against the companies.
"It's like Sesame Street teaming up with Philip Morris to teach kids how to smoke cigarettes safely," said Rose Bronstein, whose son died by suicide after online bullying.
Meta and Google generate billions from advertising to minors, making neutral guidance impossible, says Emily Boddy of U.S. Smartphone Free Childhood. Nora Kenworthy, a public health researcher, calls it a "reputation management strategy."
Reuters reviewed thousands of pages of lawsuit documents and educational materials. In a 2018 draft, Meta researchers proposed forming an alliance with third parties to vouch for their approach against addiction claims. Meta says it did not act on that idea.
Google pledged at least $20 million in 2024 to support digital well-being groups. Sesame Workshop said Google had no control over content development. Highlights and Girl Scouts declined to comment on specifics.
Google's sponsored Highlights edition includes a "sleeping bag" craft to store devices overnight, normalizing smartphone ownership for kids aged 6 to 12. Critics say this primes them for social media.
Despite some positive content, like data privacy lessons, pediatricians call for better product design. "We can still call for better design of the actual product," said Dr. Tiffany Munzer, lead author of the AAP's 2026 digital media guidelines.