In the United States, juries have delivered two significant verdicts against leading technology corporations, finding them guilty of harming underage users. This is reported by The New York Times.
These verdicts could be pivotal in the regulation of social networks, as Congress has struggled for years to develop effective measures to protect children.
Recently, a court in Los Angeles ruled in favor of a young woman who claimed that the algorithms of Meta and YouTube led to her addiction to these platforms and negatively affected her mental health. The jury found the companies guilty and awarded her $6 million in damages.
In another legal case in New Mexico, the court ruled that Meta violated the law by failing to protect underage users from potential threats, imposing a $375 million fine on the company. These decisions highlight the growing discontent regarding the impact of social networks on youth and increase pressure on lawmakers.
Despite numerous hearings and many proposed bills, such as the Kids Online Safety Act, real regulation has yet to be achieved. Lawyers point out that the courts are establishing a new enforcement practice: social networks may be viewed as products capable of causing harm, similar to the tobacco or pharmaceutical industries. Attention is focused on features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay videos that contribute to user addiction.
At the same time, companies reject the accusations. Representatives of Meta argue that mental health cannot be attributed solely to one application, while Google emphasizes that YouTube is a streaming platform, not a social network. Both companies plan to appeal these court rulings. Experts warn that it is premature to discuss long-term consequences, but it is already clear that tech giants are facing new legal risks. Thousands of similar lawsuits are currently under consideration, and a potential wave of litigation could significantly change the rules of the game in this industry.
Thus, in the context of legislative deadlock, the judicial system is beginning to play an important role in limiting the influence of social networks on children and adolescents.
