Finally, Big Tech is Being Put on Trial

Caroline Orr Bueno explores the parallels between the verdicts against Meta, YouTube, and Google for causing harm to young social media users and the campaign against dangerous child labour during the Industrial Revolution

Two recent verdicts finding social media companies liable for harms suffered by users have, for the first time, pierced the shield that has long protected tech giants from facing accountability for the negative effects of their products.

In the first case, a jury found Meta and YouTube liable for designing platforms that promote problematic use and failing to adequately warn users about the potential risks. 

The case centred around a 20-year-old woman, known as Kaley, who alleged that her use of the platforms, starting at age eight, resulted in her becoming addicted and suffering adverse mental health effects, including depression, anxiety, and poor body image.