The Media Is Lying About the Social Media Addiction Trial: The Verdict Everyone Got Wrong

March 27, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Taylor Lorenz hosts an emergency "Free Speech Friday" episode with guest Kat Tenbarge, author of Spitfire News, to correct what they see as widespread media misrepresentation of two recent social media trials: a Los Angeles case on addiction harms and a New Mexico suit against Meta. They argue the verdicts, portrayed as victories holding Meta accountable, actually advance policies like age verification and Section 230 repeal that threaten free speech, empower Big Tech, and enable censorship of progressive content.

New Mexico Verdict and Investigation Tactics

New Mexico's Attorney General sued Meta in late 2023 for enabling child sex trafficking, CSAM, and mental health harms to minors, resulting in a nearly $400 million fine—calculated at a maximum $5,000 per child in the state—plus potential age verification mandates. The 250-page complaint detailed alleged platform failures, but Lorenz and Tenbarge highlight the investigation's flaws: officials created dozens or hundreds of fake accounts using real children's photos without consent, served those images to predators, entrapped them, then deleted evidence without reporting to Meta or authorities. One initial decoy portrayed a fictional mother trafficking her child, a scenario age verification wouldn't address. They call this "deranged," noting it deflected from prosecuting identified predators to suing Meta instead.

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What you'll learn

1 (01:39) **Episode Intro and Thesis** - Hosts declare emergency episode to correct media lies on recent social media trials in LA and New Mexico
2 (02:44) **New Mexico Verdict Breakdown** - AG sues Meta for $400M over child sex trafficking/CSAM and mental health harms
3 (03:46) **New Mexico Investigation Critique** - AG created decoys like fake trafficking mom, entrapped predators but deleted evidence without reporting
4 (05:00) **LA Addiction Trial Overview** - Jury rules social media addictive, harming plaintiff KGM (Kaylee); opens door for thousands more suits
5 (05:19) **KGM Plaintiff Background** - Detailed testimony reveals severe parental abuse/neglect predating heavy social media use
6 (07:16) **Media Coverage Backlash** - Headlines celebrate "Meta held accountable" but ignore precedents harming small platforms/free speech
7 (08:51) **Design vs. Content Argument** - Claims target "addictive design" but really aim at content moderation/speech

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

Everything you've been told about the "social media addiction" trial is wrong.

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Everyone is celebrating the $400 million fine against Meta and Mark Zuckerberg, but it's a massive win for Big Tech. In this episode of Free Speech Friday, journalist Kat Tenbarge and I debunk a slew of misinformation about the landmark "social media addiction" trials in Los Angeles and New Mexico.

The mainstream media is painting this as a victory for child safety, but the legal precedent being set is terrifying.

From government agencies using real children's photos as "bait" to entrap predators, to the secret funding behind "grassroots" child safety groups, the reality is so, so much darker than the headlines suggest.

We cover:

How the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the repeal of Section 230 will lead to mass surveillance and censorship.
The disturbing testimony from the LA trial that the media completely ignored.
Why Big Tech is actually LOBBYING for age verification and identity tracking.
The link between these lawsuits and the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025.

If you care about the future of the open internet, free speech, and data privacy, please support my work! I will continue to cover how these laws will impact smaller platforms, LGBTQ content, and our basic right to access information.

I also highly suggest this great piece by Mike Masnick on the trials!!

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