Meta and Google Face Criticism Over Funding Kids’ Tech Education Programmes
Meta and Google face criticism over funding children-focused technology education programmes through organisations like Sesame Street and Girl Scouts.
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Meta Platforms and Google are facing criticism over partnerships with children-focused organisations aimed at teaching young users responsible technology habits, amid concerns around the impact of social media platforms on children.
According to public statements and internal documents referenced in the report, the companies funded educational initiatives involving organisations and brands such as Sesame Street, Girl Scouts of the USA and Highlights for Children.
The programmes reportedly focused on encouraging children to use technology in moderation and promoted lessons around personal responsibility, using educational content, songs, characters and activities aimed at children and parents.
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The report stated that the initiatives were backed by tens of millions of dollars from Meta and Google and reached hundreds of thousands of families.
However, critics have argued that the partnerships raise concerns because the same technology companies are simultaneously accused of designing products that make it difficult for young users to disconnect from social media platforms.
According to the report, critics believe the companies are using partnerships with trusted children’s institutions to indirectly encourage early engagement with digital platforms and social media ecosystems.
The criticism is particularly focused on collaborations involving brands aimed at children under the age of 12, an age group many paediatricians consider too young for smartphone ownership.
Parent advocacy groups also argued that such partnerships risk weakening trust in long-established institutions that families traditionally rely on for guidance around childhood development and parenting.
The concerns come as Meta and Google continue facing multiple lawsuits related to allegations that their products contributed to youth mental health harms through addictive platform design.
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Debate Around Youth Online Safety:
According to the report, the first case among these lawsuits to reach trial ended with a $6 million judgment against the two companies.
Commenting on the issue, Rose Bronstein, whose son died by suicide after reportedly facing online bullying, criticised the partnerships.
“It’s like Sesame Street teaming up with Philip Morris to teach kids how to smoke cigarettes safely,” Bronstein said. “How is it any different?”
The debate reflects broader concerns around how large technology companies engage with younger audiences at a time when scrutiny over screen addiction, social media dependency and online safety continues to intensify.
