Omidyar Network Statement on California Social Media Addiction Trial

Omidyar Network CEO Mike Kubzansky, and President and incoming CEO Michele L. Jawando, released the following statement in response to the landmark verdict in the California social media trial involving Meta and Google’s YouTube:

“Today’s verdict is a huge win for families and kids, and marks a seachange in the growing national reckoning over the impacts of unchecked social media on America’s young people,” said President and incoming CEO Michele L. Jawando. “People aren’t anti-technology. They want technology that connects without extracting — tools that serve them, not exploit them. What they are against is what technology becomes when it stops serving people and starts harming them. Finally, a jury of everyday Americans has recognized what parents, families, advocates, policymakers and mental health professionals have been saying for years: social media platforms are intentionally designed to addict kids and teens. Our young people are paying the price. 

“We couldn’t be more proud to stand with the families whose courage made today’s victory possible. It sets the standard for thousands of similar cases to come and serves as a powerful example of what happens when we stand together and demand a say in the technology that is shaping our lives,” said CEO Mike Kubzansky. “While we celebrate today, we know that accountability can’t stop at the courtroom. We need strong, design-focused legislation — at the state and federal levels — to ensure technology is built as a tool for genuine human connection, with children’s safety above companies’ bottom lines. California has shown that innovation and accountability can go hand in hand — that leadership must continue, and should be matched by strong federal action that sets a high bar for child safety while preserving states’ ability to respond to emerging digital risks. 

At Omidyar Network, we remain committed to supporting the brave partners, coalitions, and policymakers working to build a digital ecosystem that protects young people — not exploits them.”

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About Omidyar Network: Omidyar Network is a philanthropic organization with a mission to bend the arc of the digital revolution toward shared power, prosperity, and possibility. We invest in and collaborate with some of the world’s brightest visionaries and ventures to guide our digital future toward the greatest good for the greatest number of people.