Meta, Google funded kids’ “digital wellness” lessons while building hard-to-quit apps

Washington: Meta and Google tapped trusted children’s brands including Sesame Street, Girl Scouts, and Highlights magazine to teach kids about using technology in moderation, even as the companies built apps designed to make it difficult for those same users to unplug, according to public statements and internal documents.

Backed by tens of millions of dollars from the tech giants, the organizations rolled out lessons on personal responsibility to hundreds of thousands of children and parents. The campaigns used colorful magazines, popular characters, and catchy songs to promote balanced screen habits, public statements show.

The documents indicate a parallel track: while funding external “digital wellness” messaging, both companies developed product features that encourage extended engagement among young users.

Child-safety advocates say the approach shifts responsibility to kids and parents while app design choices drive compulsive use. Meta and Google have previously said they are investing in tools and resources to help families manage screen time.

The revelations come amid ongoing scrutiny of social media’s impact on children and calls for stronger design regulations for platforms used by minors.