# a10d Discover more from a10d Helping young people own their attention and build the skills and mindsets they need to flourish as humans. # A jury spoke, and my kids listened...then they opened up. ### Making sense of last weeks Meta and YouTube trials with kids [Meghan Fitzgerald](https://substack.com/@meghannolanfitzgerald) Mar 28, 2026 As many of you have likely read, Meta and YouTube were found negligent in landmark social media cases this week. I was able to squeeze in a moment to have a good conversation with each of my kids about the news, and wanted to share what I found unique about them. Despite their age differences, one thing was clear: court cases really landed with my kids. And, if yours are like mine, these cases in particular offer a genuine opening to talk, listen and connect around our relationship with technology. ### Trials? What trials? In case you haven’t had time to catch up on the details, I found the following helpful: [NPR](https://www.npr.org/2026/03/25/nx-s1-5746125/meta-youtube-social-media-trial-verdict), [NY Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/25/technology/social-media-trial-verdict.html?unlocked_article_code=1.WFA.-ixj.V4uflk56xqfI&smid=url-share), [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/mar/25/jury-verdict-us-first-social-media-addiction-trial-meta-youtube), & the Center for Humane Technology: ### Why the Meta Verdicts Are a Big Deal (And What It Was Like to Testify) In two landmark cases, juries in California and New Mexico found Meta and Google liable for creating addictive, harmful products and failing to protect children from exploitation and abuse. These verdicts signal that the era of tech impunity may finally be closing. State attorneys general are finding ways around the broad immunity of Section 230. ### Why trials? I had a hunch this news could get my kids talking. Boy, was I right. Starting with a court case felt materially different than starting with one of mom’s ideas based on a book or study that I just read. Studies never seem to sink in like I’m hoping. My ideas can land as mom’s worries, and even sometimes as mom’s lack of trust, which can limit the conversation. Whatever the reason, the 11, 13, and 15 year olds all responded with curiosity and seemed genuinely moved. A jury decided the companies were guilty. This wasn’t “mom trying to sway me” with social science. It was the law. ### My goals for chatting In each of the conversations, I had three goals in mind for the kids: 1. Know and understand what happened, as it is unfolding (or soon after). 2. Consider the trial and outcome with curiosity and be able to ask clarifying questions. 3. Continue to build agency about what kids, themselves, can do to be healthy and safe as they navigate the use of technologies and navigate their world in general. ### Questions & prompts To follow are the prompts I loosely followed. If you plan to speak with your kids, my advice would be to focus on one of the cases (I chose the case in LA, California), and try to balance helping provide context with giving plenty of space for kids to react, wonder, and explore their thoughts. * * * Did you know two major court cases were just decided — both about social media and young people? (If yes) What have you heard? One of the cases was decided in Los Angeles. A woman called KGM — now 20 — sued several social media companies, claiming their products were deliberately designed in ways that became addictive and damaged to her mental health. Here’s some background before we dig in: These products have an impact on all of us, but experts believe they have an especially strong impact on young people. Young minds–especially the parts dedicated to social feedback and rewards–are extra powerful at your age, and they are extra vulnerable to the way these products are designed to work. The mental health issues KGM developed included: - Body dysmorphia - Anxiety - Depression Can you make any guesses about which apps she blamed for that impact? * * * Can you make any connection between these features and mental health struggles? Any reflections on your own experience with some of these features? * * * More updates: - Snap (maker of Snap Chat) and the company that owns TikTok settled quietly out of court. - Meta (maker of Instagram) and Google (maker of YouTube) decided to go to trial and defend themselves in court. ### A sample of perspectives from my kids Even though my 11 year old has neither a phone nor social media, she’s aware of both the products and the issues. Talking with her, it felt none too early to dig into the dangers and support her sense of agency around persuasive technologies. She shared about YouTube, > “For me, there’s like a transition when I’m looking up something like a slime recipe, basketball move, or hair style, and then I see a link for a cool video, and I press on it, and it becomes a weird short for some reason. Or maybe I get a few cool videos, and then it just goes to something weird. I try to click out, then go back in. And it still does the same thing, which just isn’t cool.” This gave us a great chance to talk about what algorithmic feeding is and how it works. My 13 year old got an iPhone less than a year ago, and we are in regular conversation and negotiations about its power, its limitations, and how to balance it all. It’s real work, y’all. This conversation, though, felt great. It wasn’t me having a point of view or trying to make a point about a particular feature. It felt more open, generative, and kid-led. My favorite insight? “It’s not good to stay on anything too long. But I think the most important thing isn’t even how long you’re on; It’s what _else_ you do. You’ve got to do other stuff.” If you’ve been looking for an “in” to talk about platforms and social media apps with your kids, I highly recommend finding 10 minutes this weekend to chat about a recent ruling. If you do talk, let us know how your conversations go!