The young woman at the heart of what has been called the tech industry’s “big tobacco” moment was on YouTube at six and Instagram by nine. More than a decade later, she says, she still can’t live without the social media she became addicted to.“I can’t, it’s too hard to be without it,” Kaley, now 20, told a jury at Los Angeles’ superior court. This week, five men and seven women handed down a verdict on the design of two of the world’s most popular apps that vindicated Kaley’s position.
The ruling sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley and sparked hope among families and child safety campaigners that change may finally be coming to social media. Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta and Google’s YouTube were found liable for deliberately designing addictive products used by Kaley and millions of other young people.
It was one case centred on the suffering of one young person who became depressed at 10 and self-harmed, but Kaley, referred to by her first name or the initials KGM in order to prote
... Show more...The young woman at the heart of what has been called the tech industry’s “big tobacco” moment was on YouTube at six and Instagram by nine. More than a decade later, she says, she still can’t live without the social media she became addicted to.“I can’t, it’s too hard to be without it,” Kaley, now 20, told a jury at Los Angeles’ superior court. This week, five men and seven women handed down a verdict on the design of two of the world’s most popular apps that vindicated Kaley’s position.
The ruling sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley and sparked hope among families and child safety campaigners that change may finally be coming to social media. Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta and Google’s YouTube were found liable for deliberately designing addictive products used by Kaley and millions of other young people.
It was one case centred on the suffering of one young person who became depressed at 10 and self-harmed, but Kaley, referred to by her first name or the initials KGM in order to protect her privacy, was the figurehead for a much bigger fight.
“We wanted them to feel it,” one of the jurors explained to reporters. “We wanted them to realise this was unacceptable.”
Tyrq
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t3rmit3
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in reply to Tyrq • • •floquant
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GeeDubHayduke
in reply to floquant • • •favoredponcho
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in reply to Powderhorn • • •Mothra
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in reply to Mothra • • •The article highlights how the UK is moving to ban infinite scrolling access autoplay videos. So, thankfully, those changes are coming in at least some jurisdictions.
That said, the article also helpfully points out that the Republican administration has stuffed their science & tech advisory panel with Meta and Google execs, so I'm doubtful that the US will regulate anything reasonable.
I'd like a ban in effect for children below 16, but enforcement should be a misdemeanor on the parent. It should be a social worker coming to discuss with the parents the known harms of the platforms and let them get away with a warning, but that there will be fines if this damaging behaviour continues with an automatic 1-year (or whatever) follow-up. Basically, treat it the way it's treated if parents are giving cigarettes to their children.
P03 Locke
in reply to Powderhorn • • •I'm sorry, which big tech company is brought to who's heel?
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bl4kers
in reply to P03 Locke • • •mic_check_one_two
in reply to P03 Locke • • •GeeDubHayduke
in reply to mic_check_one_two • • •nmdoj.gov/press-release/new-me…
Not a lawyer, but doesn't this mean it was the state the sued and won, and not a private citizen..?
P03 Locke
in reply to mic_check_one_two • • •Wrong, this was state-initiated consumer protection enforcement action by the state of New Mexico. How those funds get distributed is up to the state government.
ɔiƚoxɘup
in reply to Powderhorn • • •I'll believe they were "brought to heel" if I see change.
Doubt.
its_me_xiphos
in reply to Powderhorn • • •Wtf is up with the Guardian lately and these headlines? Not as bad as the "slams" or "politician did this one thing slop" but getting there. I digress...
They are invincible. That fine is a pittance. Thats a get out of jail free card.