The Algorithm Meets the Courtroom

Tech

The Algorithm Meets the Courtroom

What’s going on: So, just how addictive is social media? We may be about to find out — at least in court. This week, a bellwether trial in Los Angeles kicked off a new legal fight over whether platforms like Meta and YouTube caused personal injury by creating addictive products. The case centers on a now-20-year-old who says she spent years glued to social apps as a kid — and later dealt with anxiety, depression, and body-image issues. Her lawsuit is one of the first of its kind to reach trial, and it could put CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg on the stand. It’s part of a much larger wave of litigation: More than 1,000 individual plaintiffs, hundreds of school districts, and dozens of state attorneys general across the country have filed similar suits. Their core argument? Platforms are engineered to keep users hooked.

What it means: These trials could shape what social media looks like in the future — from how feeds work to how platforms handle younger users. Juries matter here, since legal experts say real stories from teens about mental health can carry more weight than abstract arguments about tech policy and free speech. That approach echoes the strategy that worked against Big Tobacco, which reframed the issue from personal choice to product design. As many youth-safety laws remain tied up in legal challenges, lawyers hope the LA case will provide a new lane for change.

The News in 5

🗞️ Authorities in Minneapolis arrested a man after he sprayed Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) with an unknown substance during a town hall on immigration.

🗞️ A DHS report sent to Congress says two federal officers fired shots at Alex Pretti, according to multiple outlets. It also undercut earlier Trump administration claims that Pretti brandished a gun.

🗞️ Italy isn’t happy after learning some ICE officials will be part of the Winter Olympics security team, with Milan’s mayor calling them a “militia that kills.”

🗞️ Trust issues are brewing. Keurig has recalled tens of thousands of K-Cups due to a labeling mix-up.

🗞️ Yale is now free for families earning less than $200K. In a different era, Lorelai Gilmore could have skipped all those dinners.

Tech

TikTok, Is That You?

What’s going on: It hasn’t even been a week since the US took over TikTok, and things already feel messy. Users who wrote “Epstein” in private DMs triggered an error message — an issue confirmed by CNBC and Politico. Others claim videos about ICE’s fatal shooting of Alex Pretti aren’t reaching audiences. Some creators report their posts are getting zero likes and zero views. It’s no surprise that #TikTokCensorship was trending on X, Facebook, and Bluesky. American TikTok blamed the “cascading systems failure” on a power outage at US data centers. The company told CNN that the tech issues are “unrelated to last week’s news.” But people aren’t buying that explanation.

Tell me more: TikTok’s new US owners include Oracle, the tech giant led by Larry Ellison, who’s closely aligned with President Donald Trump and on a mission to reshape American media. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) publicly announced a state investigation into whether TikTok “is violating state law by censoring Trump-critical content.” Many users are asking themselves familiar questions: Should I delete this app? Should I jump to YouTube Shorts or other places where my voice might actually be heard? And let’s be real — this isn’t the first time a major social media platform has faced accusations of suppressing content. Human rights groups accused Meta of censoring pro-Palestinian content and accounts that share abortion advice across Facebook and Instagram.

Related: This Is the Only Time Some Parents Get Peace — Don’t Take It Away (WSJ Gift Link)

Parenting

Let Teens Linger

What's going on: Chances are, you have fond memories of loitering when you were a teen. Somehow, these recollections feel Grease-level cinematic, even if you were just killing time at the mall or a local Walmart parking lot. But it’s getting harder to find spaces to have these bonding moments. Across the US, businesses now limit where teens can gather without adult supervision. Targets, malls, movie theaters, and theme parks have rolled out bans, curfews, or restricted hours. Some locations bar unaccompanied teens outright. The Marshall Project found that “more than a dozen cities and counties” created or began to enforce curfew laws in 2023. These rules don’t just cut short harmless hangouts, they push teens out of public life and often back onto their phones. It’s also worth noting: such bans have historically been unevenly enforced, with teens of color more likely to be arrested for “loitering.”

What it means: The thing is, when teens spend time in their communities — in real, physical spaces — they tend to feel happier and more socially connected. A 2022 psychology study backs that up. Parents can’t rewrite local laws or mall policies, but they can help create alternatives. That might mean turning the basement into a low-stakes hangout zone, or steering teens toward welcoming places, like libraries, recreation centers, sports teams, or cafes. (Who knows? Adults could benefit from these true “third places” too.) Adolescents don’t need constant surveillance. They need places where they feel safe, visible, and free to be themselves — together.

We Needed This

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ The Federal Reserve will release its interest rate decision.

🗓️ President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak at a summit encouraging people to sign up for “Trump Accounts.”

🗓️ It’s National Blueberry Pancake Day, and yes, it’s OK to have breakfast for dinner.

Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.

Valentine's Day Gifting

Hot take: Valentine’s Day is actually great. Just treat it as an opportunity to shower all your favorite people — including yourself — with lovely little gifts. With us? Check out:

Cute gifts they’ll actually use, all under $50
A pair of diamond studs to buy for yourself (you deserve it)
…and another, less-expensive gift for yourself (you really deserve it)

Know It All

What is a dietitian’s go-to protein source for plant-based folks?

Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Mallory Simon, Molly Longman, Maria del Carmen Corpus, and Marina Carver. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.

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