YouTube and Meta Found Guilty of Building Addictive Social Media Apps
Believe it or not, a Los Angeles jury just found Google and Meta liable for $3 million in damages in a landmark social media trial. This sets a precedent for countless other suits that may be filed by parents who’ve claimed social media has caused addictive behaviors and even suicidal thoughts in their kids.
The apps, YouTube and Instagram, to be specific, were proven guilty by prosecutors for psychological harm suffered by Kaley G.M. (a 20-year-old plaintiff) because of addiction to their platforms. According to the EPOCH Times, “The verdict, which came after nine days of deliberation, sets the stage for thousands of related lawsuits brought by parents, children, school districts, and attorneys general across the country, offering the first blueprint for how to argue such claims—and for what damages might be sought.”
The larger argument, of course, is the nature and impact of social media on young people’s brains. For years, psychologists like Jean Twenge and Jonathan Haidt have argued that social media use fosters mental illness, and certainly addictions in teens. The plaintiff testified that she used YouTube at age 6, Instagram at age 9, and soon developed anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia, and other disorders. Sadly, she said she “was hooked,” sometimes spending 16 hours a day online, even after incessant bullying.
Sad—But Who’s to Blame
I’m not going to lie to you. I am glad these huge platforms were found guilty. I have read too much data demonstrating they are addictive. The makers knew it, and built them that way on purpose. I don’t believe they were ignorant about what they were doing.
The EPOCH Times continued, “Grieving parents who lost children to suicide or fatal “viral challenges” say were caused by defendants’ app features were a constant presence throughout the trial.” A huge majority of teens use these apps. Nine out of 10 U.S. teens use YouTube; 73 percent say they use it daily, according to 2024 Pew Research Center data.
Yet, while I agree the platforms should pay a price for the monster they created, are they the only ones to blame? Too often, I see parents allowing children to be on a tablet or portable device for hours, starting at a young age. It becomes a one-eyed babysitter, allowing parents to do other things; to not be the “bad cop” and guard their children or teens from these platforms. I wonder: have too many of us gotten lazy, unable to host hard conversations when kids complain or demand to be on the platforms? When it comes to social media—it’s tough to be a pal and a parent at the same time.
Governments are now ramping up online safety laws and imposing blanket social media bans (reforms) for younger users. But until that happens where we live, are we willing to lead our kids, our students, and young athletes or performers out of addictions and into healthy usage of their portable devices? Must we wait on a law to do the right thing? Can we place boundaries on them and pay attention to our kids’ digital safety like we do their physical safety? I think at least part of the responsibility falls on us.
Tell me what you think. Is it our responsibility or the platforms to combat addictions?
Grab Your Copy of My Book:
The Future Begins with Z:
Nine Strategies to Lead Generation Z as They Disrupt the Workplace.
Now available anywhere books are sold, or you can get it directly from TheFutureBeginsWithZ.com
Bonus materials are available, when you order:
Subscribe to future articles from Tim.
Book Tim for an event.