Being a parent is nonstop hard work, making it challenging to stay on top of news that impacts families in Washington state. This Hits Home is your weekly hit of news, commentary, and, occasionally, opinion. Want to have a say? Look for the ‘Take action’ prompts. Here’s the update for the week of March 23-29.
Seattle-based Social Media Victims Center leads landmark case to victory
In a landmark decision on March 25, a California jury, in a first-of-its-kind bellwether verdict, held Meta Platforms and Google legally responsible for harm caused to a young plaintiff who used their platforms, Instagram and YouTube, in childhood.
The jurors found that specific design features—like endless scrolling and algorithm-driven content—were found to be a substantial factor in a young woman’s depression and anxiety after years of use that began in childhood. The verdict includes $6 million in damages, with Meta responsible for about 70%, and marks a significant shift in how courts may evaluate the impact of social media on minors…