Alabama parents react to verdict finding Meta, YouTube designed addictive platforms

HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WBRC) - A California jury ruled that Meta and YouTube must pay millions in damages after finding the social media companies designed their platforms to be addictive for young users with no concern for their well-being.

Local parents say the verdict reflects what they already know: social media is hard to put down.

“I can speak for myself. It is addicting! You can waste your time. You can spend hours and I’m guilty of it too,” said Jana Montgomery, a mother of two and teacher.

Impact on students

Montgomery has taught for 32 years and watched her students become consumed by their phones.

“I’ve been teaching so long, before cell phones, and then when cell phones came about, and kids could have them in their backpacks or on their person, it was definitely very addicting. It was very difficult to teach. Students constantly wanting to pull them out of their pockets. As soon as they finish work, they wanted to get on their phones instead of reading or doing something else,” Montgomery said.

Alabama’s classroom cell phone ban, signed into law last May, has helped inside the classroom. Outside of school, social media is still just a tap away.

Why platforms are hard to resist

Haley Calvin, 18, said she knows exactly why platforms like YouTube and Facebook are hard to put down.

“I think that it definitely can be addicting and like, just wanting to look at your phone all the time,” Calvin said.

She said she turns to social media when bored.

“I mean, like, honestly, like, I’m just like bored some of the time so it’s just easy to scroll but like the videos being the length that they are and like so short, it’s just like listening to a little tiny story is like entertaining,” Calvin said.

Parents drawing boundaries

Haley’s mother, Becky, has five kids and is already drawing the line for her younger ones.

“My son is 14. He’s wanting more social media and I’m trying to hold off on letting him get certain ones just because it can be dangerous sometimes,” she said.

She said there are some benefits for those more mature.

“My oldest is in college and she’s been able to really keep up with her friends better that have moved away and they go to different schools now and she’s able to still communicate with them.”

Montgomery and Becky Calvin said parents need to take an active role in their children’s online lives. The younger the child, the further from social media they should be, they said.

The California case could now influence thousands of similar lawsuits nationwide, including ones in Alabama.

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