Preven's team is drawing on an old legal concept to make an unexpected case. They're bringing principally a product's liability claim against these companies. The algorithms that power these apps are addictive, Preven says. Facebook understands that if they want to continue to grow, they have to find new users.
Congress has yet to pass legislation regulating social media companies, so parents are taking matters into their own hands. A lawyer representing them explains how a new spin on an old legal theory might lead to a big win.
This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Paul Robert Mounsey and Michael Raphael, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.
Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained
Support Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices