NewsNation Interviews Daliah Saper About Landmark Social Media Lawsuits Targeting Addictive Platform Design
NewsNation recently interviewed Daliah Saper about the coordinated series of lawsuits brought by parents and school districts against Meta, TikTok, and YouTube, alleging that these platforms were intentionally designed to be addictive to young users.
Daliah explained that major technology companies have long faced lawsuits over harmful user-generated content and have relied on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act by framing themselves as neutral platform providers. However, in these lawsuits, instead of targeting content, plaintiffs are bringing product liability claims focused on platform design, alleging that features were intentionally engineered to hook young users and cause addiction-related harm.
Daliah also highlighted several potential defense strategies, including arguments that the platforms already have safeguards in place for young users, that they are within their first amendment rights to present content in whatever manner they choose, that responsibility for social media usage and access rests with parents, and/ or that Plaintiffs cannot prove any harm sustained was a direct result of social media usage, vs external factors or pre-existing mental health issues.
Additionally, the interview highlighted why jury selection will be critical. Unlike earlier cases that were dismissed on Section 230 or First Amendment grounds, there are additional issues of fact that the court will want the jury to consider. Plaintiffs are likely to favor jurors who are parents familiar with the challenges of managing children’s screen time and online behavior. Defendants, by contrast, may prefer jurors who are business owners who believe companies should be free to design products that maximize engagement and, in turn profit, without incurring liability.
Ultimately, Daliah emphasized that the outcome could have sweeping implications. A ruling that platform design alone can create liability would significantly alter how courts and regulators approach social media, youth protections, and digital product design.
To discuss best practices when it comes to social media law and litigation, schedule a consultation with Saper Law here.
