Lily Jamali

this trial is significant because it's the first time that a us state has managed to sue this company meta over child safety and win and meta is one of the world's biggest tech companies they own instagram they own facebook they own threads and whatsapp these are products that nearly all of us use in some form or fashion and for years states like new mexico had a really hard time getting cases like this one

on child safety in front of juries because the tech companies would say that under US law, they're not responsible for content that people post on them.

Here, the state was able to successfully argue that this case was really about design choices, the algorithms that push certain content and potential contacts to these kids.

The fact that this case made it to a jury always carried a sense of historical consequence.

But this verdict with this $375 million judgment only adds to that sense.

So Meta is specifically found to have willfully engaged in unfair trade practices in violation of consumer protection laws in New Mexico.

The allegation which the jury bought here is that they misled the public when it comes to the safety of its platforms.

Meta has said they disagree with this verdict.

They're planning to appeal, as you mentioned.

They also say they work really hard to keep people safe on their platforms.

All along, they have taken issue with this idea that they don't do enough to protect children.

In 2024, about a year and a half ago now, they launched something called Instagram Teen Accounts, which they say helps limit screen time and interactions with strangers, gives parents more control.

But critics have said that that program is just window dressing, doesn't do a lot to meaningfully address child safety concerns.

I think they are.

And I would say certainly there's a feeling among advocates that I've been speaking to that there is a change in the works here.

There's another case being considered by a jury right now in Los Angeles brought by a young woman who alleges

Meta's Instagram is addictive and caused harm to her mental health.

There, there are parents all through the courthouse who have lost their kids to what they believe was social media addiction.

And then you also have laws all around the world being considered or enacted to keep kids off social media.

It really is a tragic story, and it has a lot of people in Silicon Valley talking today. We've heard stories about people developing what feel like romantic relationships with an AI chatbot. Tragically, we are now hearing more stories about suicides from people who think that they are having these sort of romantic relationships, and this has both of those elements.