In Meta’s trial, families of social media victims see a pivotal moment for online safety

Families of social media victims gathered outside the federal courthouse in Oakland, California, Tuesday, holding pictures of their deceased children. The protest came as opening statements began in a trial against Meta Platforms Inc. A banner displayed the names of children and young adults who died due to social media-related harms, including suicides from cyberbullying or sextortion.

The parents gathered claimed the names were merely "the tip of the iceberg." Lennon Torres, an advocate with the Heat Initiative, emphasized that the trial would bring "justice" and disclosed to the public "what the executives at Meta have known all along: that their products are designed to addict and to harm children." Many of the parents have been to previous trials, congressional hearings, and other events related to online child safety.

The trial marks a significant turning point in their years-long fight for more robust online child protection. Social media companies are increasingly being sued for causing harm to young users, and Meta has already lost two major cases this year, both of which it is appealing. Amy Neville, whose son Alexander died from fentanyl poisoning after being deceived on Snapchat, reiterated her commitment to keep holding social media companies accountable until they make their products safe.