The Unlikable Truth About Social Media’s Dark Side

The trial set to begin on Tuesday, in which 30 US states are suing Meta for allegedly exploiting child users, marks a long-overdue reckoning with the darker side of social media. For years, we’ve been told that platforms like Instagram and Facebook are harmless tools for self-expression and connection. However, mounting evidence suggests this narrative is nothing short of a lie.

The lawsuit centers on the claim that Meta has knowingly designed its platforms to hook young users through features like infinite scroll, likes, and notifications. The goal, the states argue, is not just to keep kids engaged but to exploit them for profit. This accusation is backed up by internal studies obtained by the states, which reveal that like counts can drive feelings of rejection and depression in teenagers.

Meta’s own research contradicts its public image as a platform that promotes self-expression and connection. Instead, it perpetuates a toxic cycle of self-comparison and validation-seeking. The fact that the company has continued to prioritize engagement metrics over user well-being raises serious questions about its priorities.

Kelly Stonelake, a former executive turned whistleblower, summed up the issue: “There is a huge amount of cognitive dissonance and rationalization that has to exist in order to make decisions like these, despite evidence showing they harm vulnerable people.” The sheer scale of potential damages – upwards of $1 trillion – may seem astronomical, but it’s a small price to pay for a company that has profited from the backs of vulnerable children.

The lawsuit is not just about the money; it’s about forcing Meta to take responsibility for the harm it’s caused. If the states prevail, social media companies will no longer be able to hide behind claims of innovation and disruption. They’ll have to confront the consequences of their actions and make meaningful changes to prevent further harm.

This case is also a reflection of our society’s complicity in perpetuating these platforms. We’ve become accustomed to instant validation and likes, forgetting that they’re not just harmless metrics but actual drivers of mental health problems. Kaley, who prevailed in her lawsuit against Meta earlier this year, described during court testimony: “I created dozens of accounts on YouTube and Instagram… I would use the system of accounts to create likes on my own posts, hoping to drive engagement with other users and my own feelings of validation and self-worth.”

At nine years old, she was already hooked – a pattern repeated countless times across the country. The trial set to begin on Tuesday is not just about Meta’s culpability; it’s about our collective responsibility as a society to hold these companies accountable. We’ve been warned time and again about the dangers of social media but continue to ignore the warning signs until they become too loud to ignore.

As Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers prepares to hear the case, one thing is clear: this trial is not just about profits or losses – it’s about our collective future. Will we choose to prioritize profit over people? Or will we finally take responsibility for the harm we’ve caused? The likeliest truth is that it’s too late for likes – but perhaps it’s not too late for change.