Foto lbc.co.uk
The girl claims that her use of Instagram as a teenager triggered her anxiety, depression and addictive behavior. According to the New York Post, this trial may become a precedent: the court will have to determine whether social networks are liable for harm caused to underage users.
Algorithms and “usefulness”
During questioning, Zuckerberg was asked bluntly: is the platform optimized to hold attention for as long as possible? He answered evasively, saying that the company’s goal is to create “useful services” that people naturally become attached to.
If the product is truly valuable, he said, users themselves will want to spend more time on it – and that’s not unusual for businesses.
However, the generation that grew up with social media sees this “business logic” differently. Teenagers don’t spend hours on Instagram because of its usefulness. They stay there because of the elaborate system of algorithms, likes, recommendations, and an endless feed that builds behavioral dependency.
How to instill a culture of digital safety
Particularly troubling is that as early as 2021, internal company documents made their way into the public space indicating: management was aware of the platform’s negative impact on teens. Studies have shown an increase in self-esteem issues and anxiety in teenage girls who actively use Instagram.
If KGM wins the case, it could send an important message to the industry. Companies may be forced to rethink algorithms, recommendation systems, and mechanisms to protect minors. However, even a court victory will not completely solve the problem.
Children today get tablets before they learn to read, and the smartphone becomes an integral part of everyday life before they are teenagers. No court can change the cultural norm that the screen is the primary source of entertainment and communication.
The solution requires a collective effort. Schools can restrict the use of phones in classrooms and on school grounds. Parents should stick to “wait until eighth grade” by delaying smartphone purchases and actively using parental controls.
Technological solutions are also emerging: startup UseLess, for example, offers an unusual approach – exceeding screen time limits requires approval from friends. Such initiatives show that the problem is being recognized, but the question remains: are the major platforms willing to put the well-being of users above profit?
