Subvolts take Tech giants face legal reckoning over social media's harm to kids. Apr 2, 2026 - Developers
- Understand how legal rulings might shape future platform design and content moderation policies.
- Business
- Learn about the significant legal risks and potential shifts in liability for tech companies.
- Everyday users
- Discover how jury decisions could impact the safety and design of social media platforms you use.
This episode covers significant legal rulings against major tech companies, impacting internet law and platform accountability.
A jury says Meta and Google hurt a kid. What now?
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From Subvolts
Summary and analysis by Subvolts editorial, AI-assisted.
Decoder with Nilay Patel features Casey Newton and Lauren Feiner discussing landmark verdicts against Meta and Google in social media addiction trials. Juries found the companies negligent, impacting how platforms function and the nature of free speech in America. The episode explores the repercussions of these complex cases for Big Tech and online safety.
A jury decided Meta and Google harmed a child by designing addictive social media. This case could change how online platforms operate and what companies are responsible for. It matters because it affects how safe the internet is for everyone, especially young people.
This episode dissects crucial legal rulings impacting major tech companies. Listeners will understand the implications of jury verdicts on platform design, user safety, and the future of online speech regulations. It's essential for anyone following Big Tech's legal challenges and the evolving landscape of internet law, particularly as AI companies navigate similar safety and responsibility debates.
- HostNilay Patel
- GuestCasey Newtonfounder and editor, Platformer
- GuestLauren Feinersenior policy reporter, The Verge
- Episode Title: A jury says Meta and Google hurt a kid. What now?
- Show: Decoder with Nilay Patel
- Length: 51 minutes
- Guests: Casey Newton (Platformer), Lauren Feiner (The Verge)
- Verdicts: Meta and Google found negligent in social media addiction trials.
Today, we’re talking about the landmark social media addiction trials that just resulted in two major verdicts against Big Tech — one in California against Meta and Google, and another in New Mexico against just Meta.
These are complicated cases with some huge repercussions for both how these platforms work and the very nature of speech in America. So we’ve brought on two heavy hitters: my friend Casey Newton, founder and editor of Platformer and co-host of Hard Fork, as well as Verge senior policy reporter Lauren Feiner, who’s been covering these trials since the beginning.
Links:
- Meta & YouTube found negligent in social media addiction trial | The Verge
- Meta misled users about its products’ safety, jury decides | The Verge
- Meta’s legal defeat: a victory for kids, or a loss for everyone | The Verge
- Can you have child safety and Section 230, too? | Platformer
- The terrible cost of infinite scroll | The New York Times
- I watched grieving parents stare down Zuckerberg in court | The Verge
- Section 230 turns 30 as it faces its biggest tests yet | The Verge
- Congress considers blowing up internet law | The Verge
- Sen. Rob Wyden: “Why the internet still needs Section 230” | The Verge
- How America turned against the First Amendment | The Verge
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Credits:
Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Decoder is produced by Kate Cox and Nick Statt and edited by Ursa Wright. Our editorial director is Kevin McShane.
The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.
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Questions people ask
- What were the recent jury verdicts against Meta and Google?
- Juries found Meta and Google negligent in social media addiction trials, with one verdict in California against both companies and another in New Mexico against Meta.
- What are the potential consequences of these verdicts?
- These cases have huge repercussions for how social media platforms function and the nature of speech in America, potentially changing platform design and company responsibility.
Page generated Oct 19, 2026. Summaries are Subvolts' own; the audio, artwork and notes belong to The Verge.