The ‘Social Media Addiction’ Narrative May Be More Harmful Than Social Media Itself

The ‘Social Media Addiction’ Narrative May Be More Harmful Than Social Media Itself

This week, a major trial kicked off in Los Angeles in which hundreds of families sued Meta, TikTok, Snap, and YouTube, accusing the companies of intentionally designing their products to be addictive (though Snap and TikTok both settled on the eve of the trial) . From the Guardian:For the first time, a huge group of parents, teens and school districts is taking on the world’s most powerful social media companies in open court, accusing the tech …

The Trial That Could Redefine Tech’s Responsibility for Youth Mental Health

A landmark social media addiction trial is underway in Los Angeles Superior Court, where a 19-year-old California woman alleges social media platforms contributed to her depression and suicidal ideation after addictive use beginning in her youth. TikTok and Snapchat have reached settlements, leaving Meta and Google’s YouTube among the remaining defendants. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify as proceedings continue. Mark Anne Franks,…