A new court filing in the United States has accused Meta of delaying important teen-safety features, even after knowing that its platforms could harm young users. The filing is part of a massive lawsuit involving parents, school districts, and several state governments. They claim Meta ignored warnings from its own internal studies, including projects known as Project Mercury and Project Daisy.

These studies reportedly showed that platforms like Instagram could affect teenagers’ mental health, body image, and self-esteem.

However, the lawsuit alleges that Meta avoided making safety changes because strict measures might reduce user engagement and slow down the company’s growth. Regulators say that millions of teens between the ages of 13 and 15 use Instagram and Facebook, making the issue even more serious.

The case has reignited global debate about the responsibility of social media companies. Many parents and experts are now demanding stricter rules, more transparency, and stronger safety tools to protect young users online.