Meta has revealed that a £1.9 billion legal charge linked to mounting youth safety litigation weighed heavily on its latest quarterly earnings, as the Facebook and Instagram owner warned investors that even bigger courtroom risks could lie ahead. The disclosure accompanied the company's second-quarter 2026 financial results, underscoring how lawsuits over the alleged impact of social media on young users have become one of the biggest financial threats facing the tech giant.
The company said the legal expense reflected developments in ongoing proceedings, many of which accuse Meta of designing addictive platforms that harm children and teenagers. While Meta continues to deny the allegations and intends to fight the claims, it acknowledged that several trials are scheduled throughout 2026 and 2027, creating uncertainty that could materially affect its business and financial position.
