A U.S. court just fined Meta 2.4 billion kroner for failing to protect children from sexual exploitation on its platforms, while a second jury ruled the company and Google intentionally addicted young users. Denmark is moving ahead with its own lawsuit, and a new age limit of 15 is already on the books.
The verdict landed hard. Meta must pay a 20-year-old woman and her mother nearly 20 million kroner in damages after a California jury ruled that Meta and Google’s platforms deliberately addicted her as a child, damaging her mental health. Days earlier, a New Mexico court slapped Meta with a 2.4 billion kroner fine for allowing child sexual exploitation and human trafficking across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Miriam Michaelsen, chair of Denmark’s Media Council for Children and Youth, called the California decision crucial. As reported by DR, she said the ruling proves tech giants use addictive features with full knowledge of the consequences, and that profit clearly comes before child protection. That message needs to spread, she said.
The California case turned on whistleblower evidence. Internal Meta and Google documents showed executives understood the harm their infinite scroll and algorithmic content caused young users. The jury bought it. Now Michaelsen expects more lawsuits to follow, and she thinks platforms will be forced to change their business models if users start leaving en masse.
Denmark Files Its Own Case
Denmark is not waiting for California juries. Last September, Dutch NGO SOMI launched a group lawsuit against Meta in Danish courts, backed by Digitalt Ansvar and the psychology firm Dabeco. The suit accuses Meta of systematically failing Danish children through addictive algorithms and manipulative notifications on Instagram and Facebook.
SOMI argues Meta violates the EU’s AI Act, Digital Services Act, GDPR, and Danish marketing law. The lawsuit demands Meta stop harmful practices, implement stronger protections, and compensate Danish youth who suffered damage. Parents can join the case by contributing 55 kroner each. Once funding hits 2.75 million kroner, the lawsuit proceeds.
Michaelsen supports the Danish action. She noted that platforms trap vulnerable kids in loops of depressive content and self-harm feeds, with algorithms pushing them deeper. Digitalt Ansvar found Snapchat promotes profiles selling illegal drugs to children as young as 13, with no enforcement action. That failure is part of what drives the lawsuit.
A New Age Limit Takes Effect
Danish politicians moved faster than the courts. In November, a cross-party agreement set a national age limit of 15 for certain social media platforms, with exceptions allowed from age 13 if parents consent. The deal included 160 million kroner for 14 child protection initiatives online.
Denmark now ranks among the first EU countries to enforce such limits. The goal is shielding children from harmful content and giving them more time for play and development instead of screen addiction. It is a concrete policy response to years of expert warnings about unregulated platforms.
Meta says it supports the move. Antigone Davis, the company’s global safety chief, told Berlingske that Meta backs a universal digital age of maturity, provided it protects privacy and involves parents. The company is closing accounts of users under 13 and plans to roll out AI-based parental controls in Denmark starting in 2026 on Instagram.
That sounds cooperative, but the U.S. verdicts tell a different story. The California jury ruled Meta and Google went after the young woman aggressively during trial, trying to discredit her claims. The New Mexico case found Meta misled consumers about platform safety for years while enabling predators. Those findings make corporate promises feel thin.
Europe Follows Denmark’s Lead
Denmark is not alone in tightening rules. Greece, France, and Spain proposed in May that platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat require parental approval for users under 15. The move reflects mounting evidence that social media harms youth mental health, with algorithms designed to maximize engagement regardless of consequences.
The European push builds on existing regulations like the Digital Services Act, which SOMI cites in its Danish lawsuit. Enforcement is the challenge. Platforms have resisted meaningful change, and age verification technology remains imperfect. Still, the combination of lawsuits, fines, and new laws puts real pressure on Meta and Google to act.
Michaelsen sees the U.S. rulings as a turning point. She told DR that if people vote with their feet and leave these platforms, the companies will face a real challenge and be forced to prioritize child protection. Whether that happens depends on parents, regulators, and courts keeping up the pressure.
The Danish lawsuit is still in early stages. The U.S. fines are being appealed. But the message from courts on both sides of the Atlantic is clear: tech companies knew their platforms hurt kids, and they did it anyway. Now they are paying for it, and Denmark is making sure they cannot ignore the bill.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Meta ad ban hits Danish NGOs fundraising efforts
The Danish Dream: Danish psychologist urges parents to set boundaries
The Danish Dream: Social media in Denmark could be banned for children
The Danish Dream: Mental health in Denmark for foreigners
DR: Meta og Google dømt: Gør børn og unge afhængige
Politiken: Meta får milliardsbøde for at bringe børn i fare på sociale medier
