Jun 30, 2026, 19:57

Court Cases Against Social Media Companies

針對社交媒體公司的法院訴訟

Introduction

Many social media companies are in court. People say these apps hurt the mental health of children.

許多社交媒體公司目前正處於訴訟中。人們認為這些應用程式會損害兒童的心理健康。

Main Body

Some apps use special designs. These designs make children stay on the apps for a long time. This makes some children feel sad or worried. One person won 6 million dollars from Meta and YouTube in a past case.

某些應用程式使用了特殊的設計，使兒童在應用程式上停留很長時間。這讓部分兒童感到悲傷或憂慮。在先前的一起案件中，有人從 Meta 和 YouTube 獲得了 600 萬美元的賠償。

Now, TikTok and YouTube paid money to a 15-year-old boy to stop his case. Meta and Snap will go to court on July 27. This trial is in Los Angeles.

現在，TikTok 和 YouTube 已向一名 15 歲少年支付款項以使其撤回訴訟。Meta 和 Snap 將於 7 月 27 日出庭，該審判將在洛杉磯舉行。

Also, 29 states are suing Meta. The states say Meta knew the apps were addictive. Meta says this is not true. A judge says the trial will start on August 18.

此外，有 29 個州正在起訴 Meta。這些州指稱 Meta 明知其應用程式具有成癮性。Meta 則表示這並非事實。法官表示審判將於 8 月 18 日開始。

Conclusion

There are many more trials coming soon. The courts must decide if the companies are wrong.

接下來還會有許多審判。法院必須判定這些公司是否有錯。

Vocabulary Learning

💡 The 'Action' Pattern

In English, we often put the Person → Action → Thing. Look at these examples from the text:

People $\rightarrow$ say $\rightarrow$ these apps hurt children.
Meta $\rightarrow$ says $\rightarrow$ this is not true.
A judge $\rightarrow$ says $\rightarrow$ the trial will start.

Wait! Why is there an 'S' on 'says'?

When we talk about one person or one company (He, She, It), we add an -s to the action word.

People (Many) $\rightarrow$ say
Meta (One company) $\rightarrow$ says

📅 Talking About the Future

To talk about something that happens later, use will + action.

Trial $\rightarrow$ will start $\rightarrow$ August 18.
Companies $\rightarrow$ will go $\rightarrow$ to court.

It is a simple way to tell the future without changing the action word!

Vocabulary Learning

court (n.)

A place where a judge decides if someone broke the law

Example:The man had to go to court for his crime.

mental health (n.)

The condition of your mind and feelings

Example:Exercise is good for your mental health.

trial (n.)

A meeting in a court to decide if someone is guilty

Example:The trial lasted for three weeks.

suing (v.)

Asking a court to make someone pay money for a mistake

Example:The company is suing the man for stealing.

addictive (adj.)

Something that makes you want to keep doing it or using it

Example:Sugar can be very addictive.

judge (n.)

The person in a court who makes the final decision

Example:The judge told everyone to be quiet.

Lawsuits Against Social Media Companies for Harm to Teen Mental Health

針對社群媒體公司損害青少年心理健康的訴訟

Introduction

Several major social media companies are currently facing a series of combined lawsuits and legal actions from various states regarding how their platform designs affect the mental health of young people.

目前有幾家大型社群媒體公司正因其平台設計如何影響年輕人的心理健康，面臨來自各州的一系列聯合訴訟與法律行動。

Main Body

The legal situation involves several key companies, including Meta, ByteDance, Alphabet (YouTube), and Snap Inc. The main argument is that 'addictive' features, such as autoplay and infinite scroll, cause problems like anxiety, depression, and body image issues. In one previous case, a jury ordered Meta and YouTube to pay $6 million in damages after finding them negligent; however, both companies have stated they plan to appeal this decision.

此次法律爭議涉及幾家關鍵公司，包括 Meta、ByteDance、Alphabet (YouTube) 及 Snap Inc.。主要論點是「成癮」功能（如自動播放和無限捲動）會導致焦慮、憂鬱及身體意象問題。在之前的一起案件中，陪審團裁定 Meta 和 YouTube 疏忽， ordering 支付 600 萬美元的損害賠償；然而，兩家公司均表示計劃對此決定提出上訴。

More recently, in the case of a 15-year-old plaintiff, TikTok and YouTube have agreed to settlements, although the final details are not yet public. Consequently, Meta and Snap Inc. are scheduled for trial on July 27 in Los Angeles. This trial is expected to be important because the plaintiff is a male minor, which differs from the demographics of previous cases.

近期，在一件 15 歲原告的案件中，TikTok 和 YouTube 已同意和解，儘管最終細節尚未公開。因此，Meta 和 Snap Inc. 定於 7 月 27 日在洛杉磯開庭。這次審判被認為至關重要，因為原告為一名男性未成年人，與先前案件的人口結構不同。

Furthermore, a federal judge in California has refused to dismiss a lawsuit brought by 29 state attorneys general against Meta. The court decided there are serious questions about whether Meta hid the addictive nature of its platforms or violated children's privacy laws. While Meta emphasizes that 'social media addiction' is not an official medical condition, the judge ruled that the states' arguments are reasonable. A trial for several states is set for August 18.

此外，加州一名聯邦法官拒絕駁回由 29 個州檢察總長對 Meta 提起的訴訟。法院裁定，關於 Meta 是否隱瞞平台的成癮性質或違反兒童隱私法，確實存在嚴重質疑。儘管 Meta 強調「社群媒體成癮」並非正式的醫療狀況，但法官裁定各州的論點是合理的。數個州的審判定於 8 月 18 日舉行。

Conclusion

The legal situation remains unstable, as many high-profile trials are still pending and a large number of combined claims are waiting for a final court decision.

法律局勢依然不穩定，因為許多備受矚目的審判仍在待審，且大量聯合索賠正等待法院的最終裁決。

Vocabulary Learning

🚀 The "Bridge" to B2: Mastering Logical Connectors

At the A2 level, you likely use and, but, and because. To reach B2, you need to move away from these simple words and start using Transition Signals. These are the "glue" that hold academic and professional English together.

Look at how the article connects ideas to build a complex argument:

🔗 The 'Contrast' Shift

Instead of saying "but," the text uses:

However $\rightarrow$ *"...negligent; however, both companies have stated..."
Although $\rightarrow$ *"...agreed to settlements, although the final details are not yet public."
While $\rightarrow$ *"While Meta emphasizes... the judge ruled..."

Coach's Tip: Use However to start a new sentence for a strong contrast. Use While or Although to show two opposite things happening at the same time in one sentence.

⚙️ The 'Result' Logic

Instead of saying "so," the text uses:

Consequently $\rightarrow$ *"Consequently, Meta and Snap Inc. are scheduled for trial..."

Coach's Tip: Consequently is the 'professional version' of so. It tells the reader: "Because X happened, Y is now the result."

➕ The 'Addition' Layer

Instead of saying "also," the text uses:

Furthermore $\rightarrow$ *"Furthermore, a federal judge in California has refused..."

Coach's Tip: Use Furthermore when you have already given one reason and you want to add a second, even more important piece of information.

Quick Summary for your B2 Toolkit:

A2 Word	$\rightarrow$	B2 Upgrade
But	$\rightarrow$	However / Although
So	$\rightarrow$	Consequently
Also	$\rightarrow$	Furthermore

Vocabulary Learning

negligent (adj.)

Failing to take proper care in doing something, resulting in damage or injury to others.

Example:The company was found negligent for failing to maintain safety standards in the factory.

appeal (v.)

To make a formal request to a higher court to change a decision made by a lower court.

Example:The defendant decided to appeal the verdict in hopes of getting a lighter sentence.

plaintiff (n.)

A person who brings a case against another in a court of law.

Example:The plaintiff claimed that the company had breached the terms of the contract.

settlements (n.)

Official agreements that end a legal dispute without a full trial.

Example:Both parties reached settlements out of court to avoid a lengthy legal battle.

demographics (n.)

Statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it.

Example:The marketing team analyzed the demographics of their users to target young adults more effectively.

dismiss (v.)

To officially end a legal case or refuse to consider a claim.

Example:The judge decided to dismiss the case due to a lack of sufficient evidence.

violated (v.)

Broke or failed to comply with a rule, law, or agreement.

Example:The company was fined after it was discovered that they had violated privacy regulations.

pending (adj.)

Waiting to be decided or settled.

Example:The deal is currently pending approval from the board of directors.

Judicial Proceedings Regarding Alleged Algorithmic Inducement of Adolescent Psychological Impairment

關於演算法涉嫌導致青少年心理受損的司法程序

Introduction

Multiple social media corporations are currently facing consolidated litigation and state-led lawsuits concerning the impact of platform design on the mental health of minors.

目前多家社交媒體公司正面臨合併訴訟及州政府主導的法律行動，涉及平台設計對未成年人心理健康的影響。

Main Body

The current legal landscape is characterized by a series of bellwether trials and multidistrict litigation involving Meta, ByteDance, Alphabet (YouTube), and Snap Inc. A primary point of contention is the implementation of 'addictive' design elements, such as autoplay and infinite scroll, which plaintiffs assert contribute to generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and body dysmorphia. In a preceding trial involving a 20-year-old plaintiff, a jury awarded $6 million in damages, concluding that Meta and YouTube were negligent in their platform operations; both entities have indicated an intent to appeal this verdict.

目前的法律格局以一系列涉及 Meta、ByteDance、Alphabet (YouTube) 及 Snap Inc. 的指標性審判與多區訴訟為特徵。主要的爭論焦點在於「成癮」設計元素的實施，例如自動播放與無限捲動，原告方主張這些設計導致了廣泛性焦慮症、重度憂鬱症及身體畸形恐懼症。在先前一起涉及 20 歲原告的審判中，陪審團判處 600 萬美元損害賠償，認定 Meta 與 YouTube 在平台營運上存在疏忽；兩家實體均表示擬對此判決提出上訴。

Recent developments in the case of R.K.C., a 15-year-old plaintiff, demonstrate a trend toward pretrial resolutions. TikTok and YouTube have reached settlements with the plaintiff, although the specific terms remain under finalization. Consequently, Meta and Snap Inc. are slated for trial on July 27 in Los Angeles County Superior Court. This proceeding is expected to provide a distinct evidentiary perspective, as the plaintiff is a male minor, contrasting with the demographics of the previous bellwether case.

關於 15 歲原告 R.K.C. 案件的近期進展顯示出庭前和解的趨勢。TikTok 與 YouTube 已與原告達成和解，儘管具體條款仍處於最後敲定階段。因此，Meta 與 Snap Inc. 定於 7 月 27 日在洛杉磯郡高等法院接受審理。由於原告為一名未成年男性，與先前指標性案件的人口統計特徵不同，預計此程序將提供截然不同的證據視角。

Parallel to individual litigation, a federal judge in Oakland, California, has denied Meta's motion to dismiss a lawsuit initiated by 29 state attorneys general. The court found material factual disputes regarding whether Meta knowingly concealed the addictive nature of its platforms and whether it violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. While Meta contends that 'social media addiction' is not a recognized psychiatric condition and that its platforms are directed at a general audience, the judiciary has ruled that the states' interpretations of Meta's public statements are reasonable. A trial concerning claims from California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey is scheduled for August 18.

與個人訴訟平行，加州奧克蘭的一名聯邦法官否決了 Meta 申請撤銷由 29 位州總檢察長發起的訴訟。法院發現，關於 Meta 是否故意隱瞞其平台的成癮性質，以及是否違反了《兒童在線隱私保護法》，存在重大事實爭議。雖然 Meta 主張「社交媒體成癮」並非被認可的精神病症，且其平台面向一般大眾，但司法部門裁定各州對 Meta 公開聲明的解釋是合理的。關於加州、科羅拉多州、肯塔基州及新澤西州指控的審判定於 8 月 18 日舉行。

Conclusion

The legal environment remains volatile, with several high-profile trials pending and a significant number of consolidated claims awaiting adjudication.

法律環境依然動盪，尚有數場高關注度的審判待定，且大量合併訴訟等待裁決。

Vocabulary Learning

The Architecture of Precision: Nominalization and Lexical Density

To move from B2 to C2, a student must transition from narrative English to conceptual English. The provided text is a masterclass in Nominalization—the process of turning verbs (actions) and adjectives (qualities) into nouns. This transforms a sequence of events into a set of stable concepts, allowing for a level of density and formality required in high-level jurisprudence and academia.

🔍 The Deconstruction

Observe the phrase: "Judicial Proceedings Regarding Alleged Algorithmic Inducement of Adolescent Psychological Impairment"

If written at a B2 level, this might be: "The courts are looking at how algorithms might have caused teenagers to have mental health problems."

What happened in the C2 version?

Action $\rightarrow$ Entity: "Courts are looking" $\rightarrow$ "Judicial Proceedings"
Process $\rightarrow$ Concept: "How algorithms induced" $\rightarrow$ "Algorithmic Inducement"
Condition $\rightarrow$ State: "Mental health problems" $\rightarrow$ "Psychological Impairment"

⚖️ Why this is the 'C2 Bridge'

Nominalization allows the writer to embed complex qualifiers without restarting the sentence. By using nouns, the author can place adjectives like "consolidated" (litigation) or "material" (factual disputes) directly in front of the concept. This creates a "compressed" information stream.

Key C2 Linguistic Patterns extracted from the text:

The 'Abstract Subject': Instead of saying "Meta and others are being sued in many places," the text uses "The current legal landscape is characterized by..." This shifts the focus from the actors to the environment.
Precise Collocations: Note the pairing of "bellwether trials" and "pretrial resolutions." At C2, you don't just use "big" or "important" trials; you use technical descriptors that signal domain-specific expertise.

🛠️ Advanced Syntactic Shift

Contrast these two structures:

B2 (Clausal): Because the plaintiff is a male minor, this trial will show us something different.
C2 (Nominal): "This proceeding is expected to provide a distinct evidentiary perspective, as the plaintiff is a male minor..."

By replacing "show us something different" with "provide a distinct evidentiary perspective," the writer elevates the discourse from a simple observation to a formal legal assertion.

Vocabulary Learning

inducement (n.)

The act of persuading or influencing someone to do something, or the state of bringing about a particular condition.

Example:The prosecution argued that the app's design served as an inducement for adolescents to spend excessive hours online.

consolidated (adj.)

Combined into a single more effective or coherent whole; in law, the joining of several lawsuits into one proceeding.

Example:The court handled the consolidated litigation to avoid repetitive testimony across multiple similar cases.

bellwether (adj.)

Serving as a leading indicator of future trends or the outcome of similar subsequent events.

Example:The outcome of the bellwether trials will likely dictate the settlement values for thousands of other plaintiffs.

contention (n.)

A point asserted as a position in an argument; a heated disagreement.

Example:The primary point of contention in the trial was whether the company knowingly ignored safety warnings.

dysmorphia (n.)

A psychological disorder characterized by an obsessive focus on a perceived flaw in appearance.

Example:The plaintiff's legal team linked the constant use of beauty filters to the development of body dysmorphia.

negligent (adj.)

Failing to take proper care in the doing of something, resulting in damage or injury to another.

Example:The jury found the corporation negligent for failing to implement age-verification safeguards.

evidentiary (adj.)

Relating to or based on evidence provided in a court of law.

Example:The judge admitted new evidentiary documents that proved the company was aware of the risks.

adjudication (n.)

The formal legal process of making a final judgment or decision on a disputed matter.

Example:The claims are currently awaiting adjudication by the federal court system.

volatile (adj.)

Liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse.

Example:The legal environment remains volatile as new precedents are set by appellate courts.

Practice All words in a crossword→