Advertising Revenue and Youth Users
Testimony also included discussion of a 2023 peer-reviewed academic study estimating that social media companies generated billions of dollars in advertising revenue from users under 18 in 2022. A data science professor called by the plaintiff stated he believed the study’s methodology was sound, despite defense questioning about its funding sources.
Cross-examination on that topic was ongoing when court adjourned for the day.
What Comes Next
The plaintiff, now 20, alleges that excessive social media use during her youth contributed to mental health challenges. Her legal team has indicated she may take the stand soon.
With billions of dollars potentially at stake for technology companies, the trial is being closely watched by the legal and tech industries alike. The jury’s findings in this first case could help shape the trajectory of the broader litigation over how digital platforms design their products — and how much responsibility they bear for young users’ well-being.
