Social media companies made USD 11 billion in US ad revenue from minors, Harvard study finds

WASHINGTON: Social media companies collectively made over $11 billion in U.S. advertising revenue from minors last year, according to a study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health published on Wednesday.

The researchers say the findings show a need for government regulation of social media since the companies that stand to make money from children who use their platforms have failed to meaningfully self-regulate. They note such regulations, as well as greater transparency from tech companies, could help alleviate harm to youth mental health and curtail potentially harmful advertising practices that target children and adolescents.