<p class="bodytext">Two recent court rulings in the United States against leading social media platforms are likely to reshape Big Tech’s engagement with the consumer. A Los Angeles jury accepted a young woman’s argument that Meta and YouTube designed their social media services to be addictive, and awarded $6 million in damages. She cited features which she said drove her into compulsive use, causing depression and excessive stress over her physical appearance. A New Mexico jury imposed a penalty of $375 million on Meta for misleading users about child safety. These penalties, while not substantial for the companies, have set a precedent in making them answerable for their products’ design. The development is being compared with court verdicts in the 1990s that held tobacco companies responsible for manufacturing addictive products and concealing the health risks involved.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The element of addiction in the use of social media has been widely discussed and studied. People involved in the design processes have also spoken about it. Platforms are structured in such a way that they capture the minds of the users, keep them interested, and make them return. The metrics of views, likes, shares, and comments are designed to keep users continuously engaged with the platforms. In some cases, an identification with the make-believe world these platforms create can lead to anxiety, depression, and psychotic conditions. The petitioner in the Los Angeles case, identified by her initials, KGM, testified that she began using social media at the age of six. She developed body dysmorphia, which she traced to her use of beauty filters on Instagram. Internal documents presented during the trial showed that executives at the companies were aware of the risks involved. Despite the minimum-age stipulations, the content was designed for younger children actively engaged with the platforms. Catch ’em young was the business proposition.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Investigation revealed that the charges were valid and the court found that both companies had knowingly violated legal and ethical norms to maximise engagement, and prioritised profit over public health and welfare. Governments worldwide, including in India, have tried to regulate social media platforms. These attempts have invariably run into resistance over free-speech considerations. Regulatory action based on age restrictions has also been mooted. The rulings from the US have provided an opening for countries seeking legal remedies to the dangers of excessive social media use. They should lead to the formulation of strong policies that balance the freedom of social media platforms with their responsibilities to society.</p>
<p class="bodytext">Two recent court rulings in the United States against leading social media platforms are likely to reshape Big Tech’s engagement with the consumer. A Los Angeles jury accepted a young woman’s argument that Meta and YouTube designed their social media services to be addictive, and awarded $6 million in damages. She cited features which she said drove her into compulsive use, causing depression and excessive stress over her physical appearance. A New Mexico jury imposed a penalty of $375 million on Meta for misleading users about child safety. These penalties, while not substantial for the companies, have set a precedent in making them answerable for their products’ design. The development is being compared with court verdicts in the 1990s that held tobacco companies responsible for manufacturing addictive products and concealing the health risks involved.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The element of addiction in the use of social media has been widely discussed and studied. People involved in the design processes have also spoken about it. Platforms are structured in such a way that they capture the minds of the users, keep them interested, and make them return. The metrics of views, likes, shares, and comments are designed to keep users continuously engaged with the platforms. In some cases, an identification with the make-believe world these platforms create can lead to anxiety, depression, and psychotic conditions. The petitioner in the Los Angeles case, identified by her initials, KGM, testified that she began using social media at the age of six. She developed body dysmorphia, which she traced to her use of beauty filters on Instagram. Internal documents presented during the trial showed that executives at the companies were aware of the risks involved. Despite the minimum-age stipulations, the content was designed for younger children actively engaged with the platforms. Catch ’em young was the business proposition.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Investigation revealed that the charges were valid and the court found that both companies had knowingly violated legal and ethical norms to maximise engagement, and prioritised profit over public health and welfare. Governments worldwide, including in India, have tried to regulate social media platforms. These attempts have invariably run into resistance over free-speech considerations. Regulatory action based on age restrictions has also been mooted. The rulings from the US have provided an opening for countries seeking legal remedies to the dangers of excessive social media use. They should lead to the formulation of strong policies that balance the freedom of social media platforms with their responsibilities to society.</p>
