A recent series of trial verdicts has brought change within reach for social media platforms that have long been warned about their potential dangers by online safety advocates. In a pair of landmark cases, juries found Meta (and YouTube in one case) responsible for harms to kids and teens.
Meta was found liable in a New Mexico jury’s decision accusing it of creating a “breeding ground” for child predators. A day later, a California jury found Meta and YouTube guilty of knowingly designing addictive platforms, failing to warn parents and users about risks, and harming a young woman’s mental health.
While the damages awarded were small compared to the companies’ valuations, hundreds more cases are pending, which could lead to billions in penalties and required platform changes. The companies plan to appeal, but advocates hope that these verdicts will bring about necessary reforms.
Advocates say several key changes would improve online safety for young users. These include reducing frequent notifications, changing algorithms to promote less addictive content, and implementing better data collection transparency. They also call for federal regulation, including a “duty of care” to keep kids safe, which lawmakers have discussed but not passed yet.
The Los Angeles case highlighted the issue with social media’s impact on mental health, particularly among young users. Experts say the current platforms prioritize engagement over user well-being, leading to addictive features like autoplay and endless scrolling.
Online safety advocates are now pushing for more comprehensive legislation, such as the Kids Online Safety Act, which would require platforms to exercise “reasonable care” to prevent harms and protect minors’ data.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/03/28/tech/social-media-verdict-advocates-hope-for-changes