Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, alongside Google, the owner of YouTube, is undergoing a significant trial in the United States that has entered its third day. The allegations against these tech giants focus on their role in fostering addiction among children and adolescents, largely attributed to the way their algorithms are designed to maximize profits. This trial could result in precedents that reverberate globally, particularly affecting regulations on social media and its impact on younger users.

David Nemer, a technology anthropologist and professor at the University of Virginia, emphasizes that if the jury concludes that these platforms should be held accountable for their impact on young users, it could radically alter the responsibility paradigm concerning social media companies. There is a strong possibility that such a ruling may initiate a domino effect, leading to stricter regulations from governments as well as increased parental oversight regarding the access children and teenagers have to these platforms.

As the case progresses, there is growing concern about the potential ramifications for Brazil, especially in how it may influence local policies surrounding children's online safety. In a digital landscape that mirrors the challenges seen in the US, Brazilian lawmakers and stakeholders may need to reconsider and adapt legal frameworks to better protect the youth from the adverse effects of technology-induced addiction. The outcome of this trial could thus serve as a catalyst for change in the global discourse on social media responsibility and the protection of minors online.