Recent Los Angeles jury verdict against Meta and Google ordered them to pay six million dollars for allegedly fueling social media addiction. Some observers compare this to tobacco litigation, predicting major settlements ahead. However, the comparison falls short. Unlike smoking, which caused documented health harm that parents recognized and restricted, social media enjoys parental approval. Young people use these platforms with parents actively paying for smartphones. Notably, alcohol and drug use among youth have declined substantially alongside social media's rise. Historical precedent suggests similar alarm accompanied television and radio adoption. The verdict may signal litigation trends, but evidence supporting equivalence to tobacco harm remains limited and contested among experts.
