Social Media Addiction
Ongoing coverage on Social Media Addiction.
Latest coverage
Meta reaches $16.7 billion settlement in social media addiction lawsuit
Meta has reached a $16.7 billion settlement with 29 states over a lawsuit concerning child safety and social media addiction on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. The company will also implement safety changes, including daily usage limits and nighttime blocks for teenage users.
Adam Mosseri says it's 'news to me' that Instagram employees limited his exposure to teen safety data
Instagram head Adam Mosseri stated that he was unaware of any efforts by Instagram employees to limit his access to data regarding teen safety. Mosseri is the first high-profile executive to testify in the ongoing social media addiction trial.
Meta faces a $1.4 trillion reckoning in latest trial over social media addiction
Meta is facing a trial where dozens of states accuse the company of violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, with the company potentially facing a $1.4 trillion reckoning over social media addiction concerns.
Morning Legal Briefs
Meta is facing state lawsuits totaling $1.4 trillion concerning allegations of social media addiction. The lawsuits focus on the impact of Meta's platforms on users' well-being.
Meta is facing $1.4 trillion in state lawsuits over social media addiction
Meta is facing a $1.4 trillion lawsuit from four US states concerning the addictive design of its social media platforms. The legal action highlights concerns over the impact of these platforms on users.
Morning Legal Briefs
Google's YouTube has settled a lawsuit concerning social media addiction among teenagers. The terms of the settlement were not immediately disclosed, but the case highlights ongoing concerns about the impact of online platforms on young users.
Meta, other social networks will pay $27 million to settle Kentucky school district lawsuit
Meta and other social networks will pay $27 million to settle a lawsuit filed by a Kentucky school district concerning social media addiction. The settlement aims to address concerns raised by the district regarding the impact of these platforms.
Facebook (META) is removing ads for attorneys seeking clients in social media addiction case
Meta Platforms is removing advertisements from attorneys seeking clients in a social media addiction case. This decision follows a court ruling that found Meta failed to adequately protect underage users on its platforms, Facebook and Instagram.
As a court rules that social media platforms are harmful and addictive, new bans are considered, and VPN use is sure to rise
A court has ruled that Meta and YouTube knowingly created addictive products that harmed users, leading to considerations of new bans on social media platforms. This ruling, coupled with potential new regulations in the UK, is expected to increase the appeal and use of VPNs.
Engadget Podcast: Can Microsoft fix Windows 11 by dumping AI?
This podcast episode discusses Microsoft's potential shift in Windows 11 strategy, moving away from heavy AI integration like Copilot towards core features and customization. The hosts also touch upon OpenAI's Sora, Meta's legal troubles regarding child engagement and social media addiction, an iOS exploit, Epic Games layoffs, and the dissolution of the Afeela EV collaboration between Honda and Sony.
The EU is investigating Snapchat over possible child protection breaches
The European Union has launched a formal investigation into Snapchat for potential breaches of the Digital Services Act concerning child protection. Regulators are examining whether the platform adequately safeguards minors from grooming, illegal drug access, and age-inappropriate content, questioning the effectiveness of its age verification system. The EU is also investigating reporting mechanisms for illegal content and accounts, and how user data is recommended.
Evening Legal Briefs
Meta and YouTube have been found liable in a social media addiction trial. The verdict holds the companies accountable for the alleged negative impacts of their platforms on users.
Jury rules against Meta and YouTube in social media addiction case
A Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube negligent in a lawsuit concerning social media addiction, ordering them to pay $3 million in damages to a plaintiff who claimed harm from addictive features during her childhood. Meta was found responsible for 70% of the compensatory damages, with YouTube covering the rest. This case is significant as it's the first time a jury has heard testimony and seen internal documents regarding allegations that social media platforms harmed minors due to their design.
Meta And YouTube Lose Social-Media Addiction Lawsuit
A California jury found Meta and YouTube liable in a lawsuit alleging their platforms contributed to a young adult woman's social media addiction and mental health issues. The companies were found negligent in their design, failing to warn users of risks, and causing substantial harm. Meta was assigned 70% of the $3 million compensatory damages, with YouTube responsible for the remaining 30%.
Jury rules against Meta, orders $375 million fine in major child safety trial
A jury in New Mexico has found Meta liable for violating consumer protection laws related to child exploitation and safety, ordering the company to pay $375 million. The lawsuit alleged Meta knew its platforms put children at risk and failed to implement adequate safety measures. Meta plans to appeal the verdict, while the state intends to pursue a public nuisance trial.
Mark Zuckerberg downplays Meta's own research in New Mexico child safety trial
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg downplayed the significance of internal research findings during his testimony in a New Mexico child safety trial. He was questioned about studies on social media addiction and the effects of platforms like Facebook and Instagram on teen users, often stating he was unfamiliar with the methodologies or research conclusions.