Millennials grew up on internet that required heavy computers, monitors, and a dial-up connection. Gen Z, however, was thrown head first into an experiment: how will growing up with omnipresent internet access turn out? Far from the internet being the thing you can surf in your parent’s living room, they grew up phones aglow with mukbang videos to keep them company as their downed their french fries. And while growing up as a millennial with an open internet posed its own ethical quandaries (none of us should have been on Rotten), the combination of corporate interests, social media, and a lack of protective infrastructure has harmed Gen Z in ways that we are still trying to figure out. Two tech giants, Instagram and YouTube, were blamed for encouraging addiction in young consumers. A recent jury verdict lays fault with them. NBC News has coverage:
A jury found Meta and YouTube negligent in the design or operation of their social media platforms, producing a bellwether verdict in the first lawsuit to take tech giants to trial for social media addiction. The jury stated that Meta’s and YouTube’s negligence were a substantial factor in causing harm to the plaintiff, identified in court by her initials, K.G.M.
…They awarded K.G.M. $3 million in compensatory damages, finding Meta 70% responsible for harm caused to the now 20-year-old plaintiff, and YouTube responsible for 30%.
Wow, Mom was right. It really was that damned phone. She may have left out the bits about social media algorithms that copied casino strategies to create psychological cravings and all the weight loss drug advertisements, but she knew what was up!
The jury found that the plaintiff’s social media use contributed to experiencing depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphia.
Parents in the courtroom were satisfied with the verdict, but Meta and Google (they own YouTube) disagree and likely plan to appeal. It makes sense that the companies would push to appeal the decision. The $3M in compensatory damages is chump change for these corporate giants, but the $3M in punitives is a whole different story considering how many children with stories similar to K.G.M. could be out there emboldened to get their day in court. It isn’t like it should be that hard to prove harm in civil cases either — you don’t have to go far to find stories of tech CEOs explaining why they limit their kids’ YouTube usage to 15-20 minutes a day.
Be mindful of your social media usage! And if you know any children who can’t seem to put their phones down, it might be a good idea to be mindful for them.
Jury Finds Meta And YouTube Neligent In Landmark Lawsuit On Social Media Safety [NBC News]
Jury Orders Meta And Google To Pay Woman $6 Million In Social Media Addiction Trial [NPR]
Chris Williams became a social media manager and assistant editor for Above the Law in June 2021. Prior to joining the staff, he moonlighted as a minor Memelord™ in the Facebook group Law School Memes for Edgy T14s . He endured Missouri long enough to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. He is a former boat builder who is learning to swim and is interested in rhetoric, Spinozists and humor. Getting back in to cycling wouldn’t hurt either. You can reach him by email at cwilliams@abovethelaw.com and by tweet at @WritesForRent.
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