BUT WILL THEY? –
Mar. 27, 2026 – Two court verdicts this week spotlight the risks for teens from using social media — focusing on not just the content but the design of the platforms.
A California jury held Google and Meta responsible for depression and anxiety in a woman who used social media as a child. The jury concluded the tools — including Instagram and YouTube — were deliberately built to be addictive.
Another jury in New Mexico said Tuesday that Meta violates state laws and harms children’s safety and mental health with its platforms including Facebook and Instagram. The companies issued statements saying they disagree with the verdicts and are appealing them.
But scientists have drawn similar conclusions in recent research. They’ve identified specific design elements that encourage compulsive use and are especially difficult for growing brains to resist. And they’ve pinpointed what elements companies could change to make the social media design that is safer for children.
