Under The Law: That’s so meta: Social media, students, and 21st-century litigation

Abstract

Social media companies are increasingly being called to account for how their apps are affecting young people. Robert Kim explores In re: Social Media Addiction, a lawsuit that combines multiple cases that have been brought against social media companies for their addictive effects. The cases illustrate the tension between product liability and free speech laws. To what extent can companies be held liable for consequences resulting from speech on their platforms? And what aspects of the products’ design fall under speech laws and what aspects fall under product liability laws?