Meta is seeking to avoid further restrictions and penalties in California over child harm cases, as the state considers new regulations aimed at holding social media apps accountable for their impact on young users.

This stems from a March ruling that found social media platforms can be addictive and have a significant impact on user health. In that trial, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled that Meta and YouTube must pay $6 million in damages to a plaintiff.

The case exposes all social media platforms to significant liability risks, and Meta is now trying to avoid future liability by pushing for a self-protection mechanism to circumvent related claims.

According to Politico: "Meta is pushing California state lawmakers to exempt it from pending legislation that would increase legal penalties in child harm cases. According to two people familiar with the matter, Meta's lobbyists have approached Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Tom Umberg, a Santa Ana Democrat, and submitted draft amendments aimed at creating a path for social media companies to be exempt from AB 2." These individuals spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing private negotiations.

The text of AB 2 states that if a social media platform fails to exercise ordinary care or skill, causing harm to a child, all social media platforms shall be liable for specific damages. If the bill passes, platforms found to have failed to meet enhanced protection requirements could face fines of up to $1 million per child involved.

Meta is trying to use its lobbying power to weaken such impacts while expanding its political advocacy efforts to support its growing business.

According to Open Secrets, which tracks corporate political spending, Meta has increased its political lobbying spending every year, reaching $26.3 million in 2025.

Meta political spending

Its lobbying focus is largely on opposing foreign regulation and influencing tech policy, with AI rules now becoming a major focus of that effort.

But local policy influence is also within its scope, as Meta pushes to use its power and influence to streamline regulatory processes and avoid excessive liability.

However, many would argue that Meta should pay compensation for its impact on young users, and the company's attempt to use its political influence should be resisted.

But logically, Meta will avoid paying fines where possible. Given that it is investing hundreds of billions of dollars in future-oriented development, Meta needs to consider all avenues of cost reduction.