Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Jury Finds Meta, YouTube Liable In Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial
CBS News: Meta And YouTube Found Liable On All Charges In Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial
A jury on Wednesday found that Meta and YouTube are liable for creating products that led to harmful and addictive behavior by young users, a landmark decision that could set a legal precedent for similar allegations brought against social media companies. The jury awarded $3 million in compensatory damages and $3 million in punitive damages to the lead plaintiff in the case, a woman named Kaley. Identified in court filings by her initials "KGM," she alleged that using YouTube and Instagram from a young age led to addictive use of the platforms and contributed to her mental health problems, including depression, body dysmorphia and suicidal thoughts. (Cunningham and Pandise, 3/25)
In related news —
News-Medical.net: Study Links Social Media Addiction To Worse Student Mental Health And Points To Family As A Key Buffer
The findings suggest that supportive family relationships may help buffer the mental health burden associated with problematic social media use. (Malesu, 3/25)
The New York Times: A Phone-Free Childhood? One Irish Village Is Making It Happen.
Tired of seeing its elementary-school children struggle with online temptations, the town of Greystones proposed a "no smart devices" code. Most everyone bought in. (McGrane, 3/25)
