Recently released internal documents show how major social media companies viewed teenagers as a major growth opportunity, even while privately discussing the risks heavy platform use could pose to young users.
The documents were made public ahead of a series of major trials in the United States involving school districts, state attorneys general, and other plaintiffs. The lawsuits target companies including Meta, Snap, TikTok, and YouTube, accusing them of designing products that harmed children and teenagers.
According to a report compiled by the Tech Oversight Project, the internal chats, emails, and presentation slides reveal that companies clearly recognized the long-term business value of attracting users at a young age. At the same time, they monitored potential negative effects such as addiction, sleep disruption, and mental health concerns.
One internal email from late 2016 shows that Meta executives considered teen growth a top company priority. The email discussed ideas like teen ambassador programs for Instagram and explored features inspired by “Finsta” accounts, which teens used for smaller, more private social circles. Other documents acknowledged the difficulty of verifying users’ real ages and preventing impersonation or misuse by adults.
Internal presentations from Google also highlighted children as a fast-growing internet audience. A 2020 slide described young users as a “massive opportunity,” noting that families and students who used Google products early were more likely to stay loyal in the future. The company also linked school Chromebook use to long-term consumer adoption, a claim Google has publicly defended as responding to demand from educators.
The documents also show companies were aware of public relations and safety risks. Meta employees debated whether informing schools about its now-defunct teen app Lifestage could reduce safety concerns but potentially harm the app’s appeal. Other records show Google and TikTok executives discussing concerns around autoplay, compulsive usage, and children accessing platforms below the allowed age.
Despite this, the files indicate that some companies explored ways to reduce harm. Snap studied how teens, parents, and wellness experts viewed social media use and considered features like disabling access during school hours or allowing users to set time limits. TikTok documents from 2021 acknowledged widespread compulsive use but argued that better usage controls could improve user well-being.
Some executives even suggested that stronger safeguards could benefit businesses in the long run. A Google document from 2019 proposed discouraging growth that harmed digital well-being, stating that protecting users could lead to more sustainable and trusted platforms.
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A federal judge is expected to rule soon on the scope of the upcoming trials, with the first case scheduled to begin in June. The outcomes could have lasting implications for how social media platforms design products for younger users and how governments regulate teen safety online.
