“Social Media On Trial” Podcast Episode by New York Times’ The Daily
February 20, 2026
In light of the recent landmark social media trials, The New York Times’ podcast “The Daily” has released an episode breaking down the different kinds of litigation happening against major social media companies.
Landmark Social Media Trial for Mental Health Harms and Addiction
As explained by podcast hosts Rachel Abrams and Cecilia Kang, there are two “big batches of trials” happening this year:
- In Los Angeles, there will be nine separate trials for nine “bellwether plaintiffs.” These are individuals who have suffered harm from social media addiction since they were children, and are representative of thousands of lawsuits filed by individuals with similar experiences.
- Starting in June, a series of federal court social media trials will begin. Attorneys general and school districts from dozens of states are suing major social media companies. They are alleging major social media companies are public nuisances by forcing schools to implement policies to combat the addiction, such as phone programs and costly mental health services.
“It’s essentially social media’s big tobacco moment.“ – The Daily, Cecilia Kang
Plaintiffs are arguing that the nature of these social media platforms have been designed to be addictive for children, leading to personal injuries such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and suicidal ideation.
Interested in Becoming Involved?
If your child has faced mental health challenges that you believe may be linked to social media use, our experienced social media addiction lawyers can help you understand your rights. Visit our lawsuit page to learn more and contact our legal team for a confidential consultation.