Here’s a look at how social media giants might finally be held accountable for the damage they inflict. These trials could reshape the internet as we know it and, more importantly, protect our children.
- Key Takeaways:
- Multiple lawsuits underway against social media giants like Meta and TikTok.
- The lawsuits allege that social media platforms deliberately addict children and fail to protect them.
- Plaintiffs are drawing parallels to cases against tobacco and opioid companies.
Zuck Grilled in Landmark Trial
The left loves to coddle Big Tech, but perhaps the tides are finally turning. Mark Zuckerberg, the boy-king of Meta, recently had to squirm in court, facing tough questions about his company’s role in harming children. He testified in a Los Angeles case, one of many that could cost him billions.
At the heart of the case is a young adult, identified as “KGM,” whose experience epitomizes the dangers of unchecked social media. Matthew Bergman, of the Social Media Victims Law Center, called it a “monumental inflection point.” This trial could open the floodgates for more accountability.
Zuckerberg, predictably, dodged and weaved. When asked about the addictive nature of his platforms, he gave a non-answer, claiming he “didn’t think that applies here.” He insisted Meta has policies to prevent underage users, but anyone with kids knows how easily those are bypassed.
New Mexico Takes Aim at Predatory Platforms
It’s not just California; New Mexico is also stepping up to the plate. State Attorney General Raúl Torrez is leading the charge, building a case around Meta’s failure to protect children from sexual exploitation. He even posed as a child online and documented the alarming solicitations he received!
Torrez wants Meta to implement real age verification and crack down on predators. He’s also targeting the algorithms that push harmful content. Meta claims encryption is a privacy measure, but Torrez rightly points out it shields predators.
The state prosecuting attorney, Donald Migliori, minced no words. Meta prioritized growth and engagement over youth safety, he argued. Meta’s lawyer, Kevin Huff, predictably defended the company, claiming they weed out harmful content. We’ll see if the jury buys that.
School Districts Join the Fight
Even our schools are fed up! School districts are banding together in a massive lawsuit, claiming social media is harming students’ mental health. These aren’t just random claims; these are real-world problems affecting kids every single day.
Jayne Conroy, a lawyer involved in the case, draws a direct line between social media addiction and the opioid crisis. “We are all talking about the dopamine reaction,” she said, highlighting the addictive nature of these platforms. The school districts argue that tech companies knew the risks and disregarded them for profit.
The Future of Childhood?
The implications of these trials are enormous. If successful, they could force social media companies to fundamentally change how they operate. They might have to actually prioritize child safety over profit.
But the left is already pushing back, with some “researchers” questioning the very idea of social media addiction. Even if the plaintiffs win, appeals could drag on for years. Big Tech has deep pockets and powerful lobbyists.
The real question is: are we willing to stand by and watch our children be exploited for profit?
