Markey Statement on Social Media Addiction Trial Verdict

Washington (March 25, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, released the following statement today after Meta and Google were found liable in a social media addiction lawsuit.

"Big Tech's Big Tobacco moment has arrived. Today's verdict against Meta and Google is a historic moment for protecting young people online. Big Tech is finally facing the consequences for its actions. I commend the courageous kids and families who are pursuing these cases and fighting to hold Big Tech accountable. But we cannot rely on the courthouse alone - Congress must do its part to impose real guardrails on these platforms. It's time for the House of Representatives to show courage itself and pass my COPPA 2.0 legislation - which passed the Senate unanimously - into law," said Senator Markey.

Senator Markey's Children and Teens' Online Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) legislation, which would update online data privacy rules for the 21st century and ensure children and teenagers are protected online, passed through the Senate unanimously earlier in March. Senator Markey is the original House author of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), passed in 1998.

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