CNN 5 Things One Thing: Is This Social Media's Big Tobacco Moment?
Mar 29, 2026
Clare Duffy, CNN tech reporter and podcaster who explains legal and product-design implications. Caroline Koziol, a college student who sued platforms after developing an eating disorder she links to algorithmic content. They discuss the LA verdict finding platforms liable, algorithm-driven harm and autoplay, internal company documents, legal strategies to hold platforms accountable, and potential product and policy changes.
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How Algorithmic Feeds Fueled One Student's Eating Disorder
- Caroline Koziol developed anorexia after Instagram and TikTok feeds pushed extreme dieting and exercise content during COVID lockdowns.
- She lost 30 pounds in a year, fainted at swim practice, missed her senior season, and later found peers in treatment saw the same algorithmic content.
Jury Holds Platforms Liable Over Design Causing Harm
- A Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube liable for addicting a young woman and causing mental health harms, awarding $6 million in damages.
- Ten of 12 jurors agreed on negligence tied to product design, signaling potential legal exposure beyond Section 230 defenses.
Curate Your Feed To Limit Harmful Content
- Users can actively curate feeds by blocking creators, keywords, and hashtags and marking content 'not interested' to reduce harmful recommendations.
- Caroline still uses social media but blocks weight-loss creators and keywords, and avoids engaging with triggering videos.