"For years, social media companies have disputed allegations that they harm children's mental health through deliberate design choices that addict kids to their platforms and fail to protect them from sexual predators and dangerous content. Now, these tech giants are getting a chance to make their case in courtrooms around the country, including before a jury for the first time.Some of the biggest players from Meta to TikTok are facing federal and state trials that seek to hold them responsible for harming children's mental health."
"The courtroom showdowns are the culmination of years of scrutiny of the platforms over child safety, and whether deliberate design choices make them addictive and serve up content that leads to depression, eating disorders or suicide.Experts see the reckoning as reminiscent of cases against tobacco and opioid markets, and the plaintiffs hope that social media platforms will see similar outcomes as cigarette makers and drug companies, pharmacies and distributors."
Social media companies are being sued in federal and state courts over allegations that deliberate design choices addict children and expose them to sexual predators and harmful content. Lawsuits have been filed by school districts, governments at multiple levels and thousands of families. Trials are underway in Los Angeles and New Mexico with additional trials expected. Plaintiffs allege platforms serve content that contributes to depression, eating disorders and suicide. Experts compare the litigation to tobacco and opioid reckonings. Legal outcomes could challenge First Amendment protections and Section 230 immunity, lead to expensive settlements and legal fees, and force operational changes that affect users and ad revenue.
#social-media-litigation #child-mental-health #platform-addictiondesign #section-230--first-amendment
Read at Fast Company
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]