Local media literacy and mental health advocates applaud landmark social media ruling

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) Mental health professionals, media literacy advocates and parents applaud the landmark verdict against social media platforms.

The case that held Meta and Google liable began 3 years ago when the plaintiff was just a California teen.

The now 20 year old said she was under 10 years of age when Youtube and Instagram led to depression, anxiety and body dysmorphia that causes intense focus on perceived flaws.

Santa Barbara County Behavioral Wellness Leader Suzanne Grimmesey said parents can help their children by setting a good example when it comes to screen time.

"It is always good conversations to have with children to understand the negatives that a large about of screen times can have and that is everything from your eyesight to the negativities of just being too connected to that world," said Grimmesey.

Starshine Roshell, who was recently named The California State Advocate for Media Literacy Now, said this holds platforms accountable.

"These lawyers for this case went after the architecture of the platforms; looking at how they are built  and how the algorithms are actually designed to keep us watching and to have consistent scrolling and these beauty filters and all of these different things built into the tool that can really impact the mental health of our students," said Roshell.

She said media comes at kids like a firehose every day.

She said a rule called Section 230, known as the Communication Decency Act has protected social media platforms since it says publishers are not responsible for the content that their users posts.

She considers the young woman at the center of the case couragious.

"Attorneys put up a 35 foot picture of all of her social media pictures over the years and asked the jury to take a look at that and that was really impactful for them, I think it had a big impact ,but I also think that must have been really hard for her to see that," said Roshell.

She called the $6 million penalty nothing for these tech giants, but another case in New Mexico calls for $375 million payout.

That case holds Meta accountable for failing to prevent child predators on the site.

Supporters of both rulings are also pushing for a bill to add digital literacy training for students.

Even though the tech companies plan to appeal these cases could convince them to change how they do business.

Your News Channel will have more reaction tonight on the news.

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