Parents Demand Accountability from Social Media Giants Amid Tragedies

Walker Montgomery, a teenager from Mississippi, faced a tragic end at 16 years old. He fell victim to a sextortion scam on Instagram, which led to his suicide. His father, Brian Montgomery, struggles with the loss, but found some solace as social media giant Meta faced legal consequences. Juries in New Mexico and Los Angeles ruled that Meta’s platforms were designed without proper concern for young users’ well-being.

“We’re addressing one of the most financially robust businesses in existence,” Montgomery shared after the court decisions. Other parents echoed his sentiment, emphasizing the lack of safeguards for children and the resultant harm.

Legal Verdicts Highlight Public Opinion Shift

In a New Mexico case, jurors sided with prosecutors, imposing a $375 million penalty on Meta for prioritizing profits over safety. The following day, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube, owned by Google, guilty of designing platforms that ensnared young users.

The companies announced plans to explore legal options, including appeals. These verdicts signal a shift in how the public perceives social media companies’ responsibilities in safeguarding youths on their platforms.

Growing Concerns Over Kids’ Safety on Social Media

Although not a plaintiff, Montgomery stresses the need for legislation. He pointed to the industry’s failure to self-regulate. His son had been happy and active before encountering a scammer online. “Walker is not coming back,” he lamented, balancing joy in the legal progress with sadness over his personal loss.

Deb Schmill from Dedham, Massachusetts, knows this heartbreak too well. Her daughter, Becca, died at 18 from fentanyl poisoning after buying drugs through social media. Becca endured online abuse and revenge porn before her overdose.

Efforts to Protect Children Online

Schmill advocates for the Kids Online Safety Act, which had passed the U.S. Senate but not the House. Cases against social media firms may take years to settle, with U.S. tech regulation lagging behind Europe and Australia.

Schmill expressed frustration at the slow progress, highlighting the dire consequences of inaction. “When we can’t hold social media accountable, children die,” she said.

Parents like Charles Halley are increasingly wary. He chooses to keep his fifth-grade son away from social media, believing it harms children’s development. “Social media packages societal flaws and markets them to kids,” said Halley, pointing to behaviors influenced by constant phone use.

Halley and other parents are organizing to counteract these harms, though success remains uncertain. He remains cautious, prioritizing his child’s protection by limiting social media exposure.

— Contribution by Terry Chea from Alameda, California.