Meta Knew They Were Addicting Kids. Now They’re Paying for It.

April 2, 2026 · 33 min

About this episode

This episode discusses landmark legal verdicts against Meta and Google regarding their responsibility for social media addiction among youth.

In the span of two days, juries handed down landmark verdicts against Meta and Google. In New Mexico, a jury ordered Meta to pay the state $375 million for failing to protect young people from predators on Instagram. And in Los Angeles, a jury found that Meta and Google knowingly designed social media platforms that addicted a young girl, causing depression, body dysmorphia, and self-harm.  But as listeners to this show might wonder – isn't suing social media companies supposed to be impossible, because of Section 230? Brian talks to co-lead counsel in LA, Mariana McConnell, about how they pulled off the win, what this huge verdict means for the internet, and the internal Meta document that said, “Young ones are the best ones.”  Question Everything is a production of KCRW and Placement Theory . And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter – we’ll be sharing Brian’s extended interview with Mariana McConnell there.  Guests:  Mariana McConnell, plaintiff's co-lead counsel  Please support the organizations that support this show: Loyola Marymount University If you’re interested in Fabric by Gerber Life go to…

People in this episode

Host: Brian Reed

Guest: Mariana McConnell

Topics covered

social media addiction
legal verdicts
youth protection
mental health
social media companies
Section 230

Keywords

Meta
Google
social media
addiction
youth
lawsuit
mental health
Instagram
Section 230

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Meta, Google, KCRW, Placement Theory

Products: Fabric by Gerber Life, OneSkin