Social Scandal

The verdicts are in, and it’s costing Meta $379 million. 

In a landmark decision Tuesday, a New Mexico jury found Meta Platforms guilty of failing to safeguard users from child sexual exploitation, ordering the social media giant to fork over $375M. The lawsuit was brought by New Mexico Attorney General Torrez, who accused Meta of putting “profits over kids’ safety.” 

Two states over, a Los Angeles jury handed the win to a 20-year-old woman Wednesday, who sued Meta and YouTube for designing addictive features (think: infinite scroll) leading to her anxiety and depression. Meta’s shouldering 70% of the burden ($4.2M) and YouTube took the other 30% ($1.8M).

Meta plans to appeal both, saying they’re confident in their “record of protecting teens online.”

Thousands of similar cases await trial, some seeking damages in the tens of billions.

CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
As courts discuss the effects of social media, it’s a good moment for personal reflection on social media’s effect on our lives, relationships, and heart-habits. Whatever tools or technology we adopt, our aim should be to use them wisely and in ways that increase the fruit of the Spirit in us. 

“Walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh… The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
Galatians 5:16, 22-23a (CSB) (read full passage)