Parents are increasingly concerned about safeguarding their children from the dangers posed by social media platforms, especially following recent court rulings that hit tech giant Meta with substantial fines.
Julie Frumin, a 43-year-old mother of two from Westlake Village, near Los Angeles, expressed her fears, saying, “95% of our children are using products that we know are harmful.” She added, “I need help. Please help me!”
On a brighter note, some are starting to perceive a flicker of hope from these developments.
Deb Schmil, a founding member of Parent SOS, played a role in drafting a bill in Massachusetts aimed at regulating phone use in schools. Her daughter, 18-year-old Rebecca, tragically died from fentanyl poisoning after acquiring drugs through social media.
Schmil characterized the recent court ruling as a “watershed moment” and a “major step toward addressing a significant public health failure in the U.S.”
In a recent ruling, a jury in New Mexico found that Meta, which owns Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, prioritized profits over user safety, misleading its audience and failing to safeguard children from predators. The jury mandated Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties to 37,500 users—the highest allowable in the state.
Meta has denied the allegations and plans to appeal the decision.
In a separate case, a Los Angeles jury ruled in favor of a 20-year-old woman named Kaylee, who claimed that features like scrolling and autoplay on Instagram and YouTube led her to become addicted to the apps. Meta is liable for $4.2 million, while Google is on the hook for $1.8 million.
Despite asserting that their platforms are safe for children, both Meta and YouTube face numerous lawsuits nationwide.
Frumin, a licensed marriage and family therapist, was overwhelmed with joy upon hearing the verdict.
She remarked, “I’ve been looking forward to this moment of responsibility for a long time,” explaining that her children, a nine-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son, aren’t permitted to have phones or social media. “But, to be honest, I had an unfair advantage, being in this field,” she admitted.
With over two decades in therapy, she has witnessed firsthand how these platforms can affect teens, impacting their self-esteem and family dynamics.
A Manhattan mother of three daughters, aged 3, 6, and 10, feels it’s “ridiculous” how many parents still don’t grasp the dangers of screens and social media. She hopes this ruling will shine a light on the struggles parents face and urge lawmakers to act.
“I want to see the legal age for social media raised so that it’s no longer considered the norm and children won’t push back so hard,” she shared. “If all your friends have it, it’s much tougher for parents to say no.”
Amy Neville, mourning her son Alexander, who died at 14 from fentanyl he bought via social media, echoed the urgent need for change.
Not all parents are unaware of the risks, though.
Veronica Feliciano, a 43-year-old waitress and mother from the Bronx, expressed that although she hadn’t heard of the lawsuit, she believes in drawing a firm line. “I think it should be illegal for children to use cell phones until they turn 18,” stated Feliciano, who has a 14-year-old daughter and a baby son. “Teenagers go crazy if you try to take their phones away.” She added, “I let my two-year-old use an iPad for only two hours on weekends because I worry about screen addiction. But I didn’t know these dangers ten years ago.”
Feliciano cited an incident where her daughter’s friend spread harmful rumors online, acknowledging that “social media can create real-life issues.” She feels there should be some legal regulations in place.
In contrast, a Manhattan father of three teenagers argued that limiting their social media exposure might isolate them socially. “They only text on Snapchat and share on Instagram and TikTok,” he explained, calling the recent court ruling “meaningless,” as he believes the situation can’t be undone.
Mr. Firmin, from Mothers Against Media Addiction, sees many parents struggling under the immense pressure without much support, leading to family discord. He noted, “Technology companies designed these products for maximum engagement without caring for our children’s safety,” he fumed.
Frumin expressed frustration, stating, “We shouldn’t be the only ones to bear this burden. It’s too heavy.” She highlighted the overwhelming challenges parents encounter, adding that while they may try hard to limit screen time, these efforts often falter when children are at school.
Frumin insisted, “We need help as parents, and we need the law.”
The weight of these issues has impacted many, including Schmil, whose daughter Becca self-medicated with dangerous fentanyl after suffering trauma related to an incident that started on social media when she was just 15. The aftermath was compounded by cyberbullying, with numerous parents sharing their heart-wrenching experiences of losing children due to similar situations.
Schmil expressed a desire for Congress to advance a stronger version of the Kids Online Safety Act, hoping it would gain traction like the Senate bill that previously passed almost unanimously.
Lysette Rosario, a reading specialist from the Bronx, did acknowledge that parents, too, are often “addicted” to technology, noting, “We’re compelled to use it for work.” However, she highlighted that adults have advantages over children, whose developing brains are at higher risk of cognitive impairment. “Children need protection,” she stated, emphasizing that it requires collective efforts from everyone involved—parents, teachers, tech companies, and the community—to safeguard them.
