What did social media companies recognize about teen users?

Social media companies recognized teen users as a significant business opportunity and crucial for platform growth.

Did social media companies acknowledge risks associated with teen users?

Yes, internal documents show that companies tracked the harmful effects features could have on young users and considered ways to mitigate those risks.

What is the current status of legal action against social media platforms regarding teen users?

Several school districts and state attorneys general have brought trials against Meta, Snap, TikTok, and YouTube, alleging harm to young users from platform design, with a federal judge set to hear arguments determining the scope of these trials.

Home / Technology / Teens as Gold: Social Media's Secret Strategy

Teens as Gold: Social Media's Secret Strategy

26 Jan

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Summary

Social media firms saw teens as a key business opportunity.
Companies tracked harmful effects but pursued teen engagement.
Internal documents reveal teen value and platform risks.

Teens as Gold: Social Media's Secret Strategy

Internal documents from social media giants indicate a significant business opportunity in recruiting teenage users. These companies recognized the value of establishing young users on their platforms, as revealed by documents compiled by the Tech Oversight Project and reviewed by The Verge.

Emails and slides from Meta and Google show a clear focus on teens for growth. In late 2016, Mark Zuckerberg prioritized teen growth for Meta, exploring initiatives like a teen ambassador program for Instagram. Google's November 2020 slide titled "Solving Kids is a Massive Opportunity" highlighted the rapid growth of internet users under 13.

These companies also discussed the potential risks and public relations challenges associated with young users. Meta considered how to manage safety concerns for its Lifestage app and whether to delay allowing younger users on Facebook due to scrutiny. Google's "Digital Wellness Overview" deck from 2018 noted concerns about tech addiction and the impact of autoplay on sleep patterns.