The Globe and Mail reports in its Monday, Aug. 10, edition that a bipartisan majority of Americans favour increased government regulations for social media companies, including age-verification tools to protect younger children, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe reports that the poll comes as Meta and Google's YouTube face mounting legal pressure over their treatment of young users. A trial starts on Wednesday over allegations by state prosecutors that Meta designed its products to addict young users. Meta denies the allegations. Meta could face up to $1.4-trillion (U.S.) in penalties if the states prevail. A New Mexico court ordered Meta to pay $567-million (U.S.) into a teen mental health fund and to change its platforms for young users, citing harm to children's wellbeing. Tech companies are also under scrutiny by lawmakers across the United States for their effect on youth. More than a dozen states have passed laws regulating minors' social-media access, saying it is needed to bolster their safety on-line. NetChoice, a trade group supported by Meta has sued to challenge laws that require apps to verify user ages, claiming they violate free speech protections.