‘High time’ for social media giants to be held accountable for addiction: Windsor youth advocate

A Windsor advocate is speaking out on social media addiction after two trials saw social media companies guilty for being too addictive. Sanjay Maru reports.

A Windsor youth advocate says it is long overdue for social media companies to be held accountable, as two U.S. jury decisions this week found Meta — and in one case, YouTube — responsible for harm linked to their platforms.

The rulings, including a California case that awarded 20-year-old woman millions in damages, are prompting renewed debate about how social media platforms are designed and the impact they may have on young users.

The decisions came just a day apart.

A New Mexico jury on Tuesday found Meta violated state law and harmed children’s mental health, ordering the company to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties.

A day later, a California jury found Meta and YouTube were negligent in how their platforms were designed, awarding $6 million to a 20-year-old woman.

In that case, the plaintiff testified she began using YouTube at age six and Instagram at nine, telling the jury she was on social media “all day long” as a child.

For many students, the idea that social media can be addictive is not surprising.

“Everyone’s addicted. It’s not even a question. Me? Yeah, I hate to admit it,” said Grade 9 student Crystal Zhao.

“Scrolling is just what you do on your downtime now. It takes away from having hobbies,” said Grade 11 student Shaeah Reimer.

Reimer added the way content is delivered plays a major role.

“It’s catering to exactly what you want to see. It constantly has you looking for the next hit of dopamine.”

The lawsuits focused not only on the content users consume, but on how platforms are built.

In the California case, jurors found Meta and YouTube were negligent in the design of their platforms and that those design choices were a substantial factor in causing harm to the plaintiff.

The case pointed to features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay and algorithm-driven recommendations — all designed to keep users engaged.

Joanna Conrad, executive director of Youth Diversion in Windsor, says those features are intentional.

“It is high time for these companies to be held responsible. They have created a substance that has been delivered to children that is incredibly addictive,” she said.

Her organization regularly speaks with students and parents about how platforms are engineered to hold attention, including the use of social validation cues such as likes and notifications.

At the same time, she acknowledges the argument that responsibility does not rest solely with tech companies. But, she added, families are facing an uphill battle.

“What parents are up against is an unfair fight. It was meant so that self-control was not even an option.”

Among students, views on responsibility were mixed.

“I don’t think it’s the girl’s fault. I think it’s the company’s fault,” Zhao said.

Others placed more responsibility on parents.

“I’d say it’s the parents’ fault. They have to tell them not to keep scrolling,” said Shad Ahmed.

Another said both sides play a role.

“Of course they’re going to try to make it addicting. That’s how they get sales,” said Grade 9 student Alex Fazeks.

Meta says it plans to appeal both decisions.

“Teen mental health is profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app,” said Meta spokesperson Julia Perreira of the California ruling, added Meta will continue to defend itself and remains confident in its efforts to protect teens online.

On the New Mexico ruling, Meta said it “works hard to keep people safe on our platforms” and acknowledged the challenges of identifying and removing harmful content.

The company also noted the California verdict was not unanimous, and that the penalty in New Mexico was significantly lower than what the state had initially sought.

In response to the lawsuit, YouTube has claimed it is not even a social network.

Legal experts say the cases could have broader implications, with thousands of similar lawsuits still making their way through the courts.

For Conrad, the broader impact goes beyond any single ruling.

“Hopefully the message is sent, especially to parents. This is not just a silly game. It’s not just posting pictures and chatting with friends.”

What parents can do

As the debate around social media continues, local experts say parents play a key role in helping children navigate online spaces safely.

Youth Diversion recommends starting conversations early — ideally when a child first gets access to a device — and treating online safety as an ongoing discussion, not a one-time talk.

Parents are encouraged to set clear expectations around screen time, including when and where devices can be used, and to establish consistent routines to reduce overuse.

The organization also stresses the importance of helping children understand what happens once something is shared online — including how photos, messages, and posts can be saved, shared or reshaped beyond their control.

Experts say it’s equally important to create an environment where children feel comfortable speaking up if they encounter something inappropriate or upsetting online.

They also suggest watching for warning signs of problematic use, such as withdrawal from family and friends, mood changes after being online, or a loss of interest in offline activities.

Ultimately, the goal is not to eliminate technology, but to build healthy habits.

That includes maintaining open communication, setting boundaries and helping young users develop awareness of how these platforms are designed to keep them engaged.

- With files from CTV’s Heather Wright.