As the trial for Meta Platforms began Tuesday, advocates and parents of social media victims gathered outside a federal courthouse in Oakland, California. They displayed a banner several feet wide, holding the names of children and young adults who have died from social media-related harms, such as suicide following cyberbullying or sextortion. Nearly 600 names were listed, including Giovanni, Bubba, and Englyn, aged 11, 13, and 14, respectively. Parents stressed these names are ‘just the tip of the iceberg.’
“Behind us, justice is going to be served,” stated Lennon Torres, an advocate from the organization Heat Initiative. “The courtroom doors are open, and it is time for the public to see what the executives at Meta have known all along: that their products are designed to addict and to harm children.” Many of the attending parents have been part of previous trials and events concerning online child safety. They consider this trial, involving attorneys general from four states seeking billions in damages for harms to children, as a pivotal moment in holding social media firms accountable.
Social media companies face increasing lawsuits for harms to young users. Meta has already lost two significant cases this year related to child and teen safety, both of which are under appeal. Amy Neville, whose 14-year-old son Alexander died from fentanyl poisoning after a Snapchat drug scheme, emphasized the changing public perception against these companies. She, like others, is committed to raising awareness of social media dangers. “If we can keep holding them accountable over and over, something has to give,” Neville stated.
Lawsuit Focuses on Broad Claims
The lawsuit targets general claims rather than specific cases, alleging Meta designed Instagram and Facebook in ways that endangered young users. It asserts Meta knew about the dangers and misrepresented them. Meta has denied these claims, asserting the trial will demonstrate efforts to enhance platform safety. The trial’s result could significantly impact Meta’s financial standing and platform operations. However, parents are mainly interested in internal Meta documents expected to surface during the trial.
John DeMay, whose son Jordan died at 17 from a sextortion scheme on Instagram, anticipates public awareness of the evidence presented. “As this information starts to unfold, the American people, the American mothers, and the American fathers who are not seeing this stuff every day can see it and go, ‘Oh my God, this is really what’s happening,’” he remarked. Some parents at the courthouse hail from the four states pursuing the case: California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey. They commended their attorneys general for their efforts.
Lori Schott from Colorado shared her experience with Attorney General Phil Weiser, who reviewed her daughter Annalee’s social media content and journals after her suicide at 18. Annalee had written about feeling inadequate compared to others online.
Parents Call for Accountability
“Power does not excuse harm,” remarked Lori Schott outside court, addressing Meta, its CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Instagram’s head Adam Mosseri. “Profits do not erase the responsibility of Big Tech, and no company — no matter how wealthy, no matter how influential, no matter how untouchable it feels it is — should stand above the truth, the law, and our children.”
Parent advocates remained hopeful on Tuesday, with Erin Popolo expressing optimism that the trial might prompt substantial changes in social media practices. Her daughter, Emily Murillo, took her life after enduring severe cyberbullying. “I think that we’re going to make history here,” Popolo commented.
Associated Press journalist Terry Chea contributed to this report.
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