Scrolling 2 Death

Episode: [THE VERDICT] The Heat is On...Big Tech on Trial

Host: Nicki Petrossi with Sarah Gardner
Date: March 27, 2026

Episode Overview

This momentous episode of Scrolling 2 Death covers the watershed jury verdict in the first consolidated trial against Big Tech for allegedly designing addictive and harmful social media platforms for children. Meta (Instagram) and YouTube stood trial, accused of knowingly endangering young users like 20-year-old Kaylee (KGM). The pod, in partnership with the Heat Initiative, reflects on the journey to this verdict, the implications for families and advocacy, and what comes next in this historic legal fight. The episode features legal analysis by attorney Laura Marquez Garrett and voices from parent survivors and youth advocates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jury Verdict: Big Tech Found Negligent

• Jury Decision Read Aloud ([00:01] – [01:29])
  • Both Meta (Instagram) and YouTube found negligent in design/operation; their negligence deemed a substantial factor causing harm to Kaylee.
  • Both companies failed to warn users and were aware of the dangers posed to minors.
  • "These are the tobacco trials of our generation." — Nicki ([01:52])

2. Background & Build-up to Verdict

• Chronology of Jury Deliberations ([03:27] – [12:28])
  • Deliberations included multiple jury questions, signaling deep consideration of evidence.
  • Notable jury questions:
    • Difference between deposition vs. live testimony ([04:04])
    • Clarification on platform user data—specifically, the deletion of Kaylee’s YouTube history (Revealed YouTube’s own data deletion, not user’s fault.) ([05:54])
    • Testimony surrounding Kaylee’s mental health triggers and the role of family vs. social media ([07:06])
    • "We’re saying that social media played a role as well." — Nicki ([08:25])
  • Uncertainty and tension described by hosts as they await each new sign from within the courtroom.

3. Emotional Reactions & Parental Perspective

• Parent Survivors in the Courtroom ([05:15], [22:40])
  • Parent survivors attended daily, underscoring the human cost.
  • Memorably, seven survivor parents sat front row during the verdict; all instructed not to react, but emotions ran high regardless.
  • “We’re here for our babies and all of your babies.” — Juliana Arnold ([05:32])
  • Validation and sorrow intermingle:
    • "If I’m right, that really means that these executives made choices that led to the death of my child." — Nicki ([26:14])

4. Signals, Surprises & the Verdict Day

• Courtroom Dynamics ([20:04] – [22:04])
  • Observing jurors’ attire and behavior (pastries, sunflowers, coordinated outfits) as harbingers of a coming verdict.
  • Media and advocacy presence outside—Google Doc live-updating as verdict read ([23:53])
  • "We just like, really naturally got like really close together. And it was like watching like Casper the Ghost checking because we didn’t know where you were, you know, and we would just, like, watch with anticipation." — Sarah ([24:36])

5. Legal Breakdown: What Does This Mean?

• With attorney Laura Marquez Garrett ([28:14])
  • No personal liability for executives (e.g., Zuckerberg) in this case, but potential remains.
  • The verdict's influence is not direct precedent for other cases, but "everything is connected."
  • impact will be greater if public and financial pressure rises.
    • "This is not about the $6 million. This is about the fact that the world just saw two verdicts in two days." — Laura ([28:31])
  • Forthcoming cases will add layers—school district trials, Attorney General cases, and more.

6. Banner Moment: Honoring Victims

• Commemoration Outside the Courtroom ([31:39])
  • Parent survivors created a 30-40 ft hand-made banner with names of 351 children lost to social media harms.
  • Visuals of the banner quickly spread via media, underscoring the magnitude and gravity of the moment.

7. What’s Next for the Movement?

• Future Trials and Advocacy Action ([32:58] – [36:55])
  • Upcoming mass tort MDL in federal court: thousands of families, school districts, states versus Meta, YouTube, TikTok, Snap (first up: Breathitt County Schools in Oakland, June 15).
  • Legislative advocacy: pushing for new laws and labeling requirements.
  • "We need your voice in our movement in order to win." — Sarah ([35:47])
  • Social Media Victims Remembrance Day on June 23 — call for parent participation and action in Washington D.C.

8. Reflections on Justice and Social Change

• Comparison to Tobacco Litigation ([37:38])
  • Reminder: big movements can require years of work and setbacks before breakthrough—Big Tobacco lost 10 cases before winning one.
  • Hosts reflect on personal and collective transformation: tattoos, jewelry, and enduring bonds of trauma and advocacy.
  • "These moments leave an imprint on you. They don’t leave you. I will never forget being at the courthouse yesterday when we heard the verdict." — Sarah ([38:54])

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "These are the tobacco trials of our generation." — Nicki ([01:52])
• "They knew it was dangerous and they did it anyway. We knew that and now everybody knows that." — Nicki ([01:06])
• “It’ll never be the same. The cat’s out of the bag, and now it’s time for our legislators to start taking that into account...” — Juliana Arnold ([05:32])
• "We’re saying that social media played a role as well." — Nicki ([08:25])
• "If Kaylee’s going to win, they’ve got to answer a whole lot more questions. They’ve got to figure out money and a lot of things that take time." — Mark Lanier ([09:57])
• "If I’m right, that really means that these executives made choices that led to the death of my child." — Nicki ([26:14])
• "This is not about the $6 million. This is about the fact that the world just saw two verdicts in two days." — Laura Marquez Garrett ([28:31])
• "Truth. Justice. Accountability. These kids did not die just from an accident. There were bad choices that were made that led in part to their deaths. And now finally someone’s gonna be held accountable." — Sarah ([31:39])
• "I was recently with someone who was one of the lead attorneys who fought Big Tobacco...They lost their first 10 cases. We’re up 2-0, right?" — Sarah ([37:50])
• "Stay engaged. Stay with us. We’re going to win." — Sarah ([39:35])
• "We’re already winning." — Nicki ([39:38])

Important Timestamps

• 00:01 – 01:29: Reading of the jury’s key findings (verdict form for Meta/YouTube)
• 03:27 – 15:49: Chronological narrative of jury deliberation, key questions, parental perspectives
• 22:24 – 27:09: Courtroom reaction, emotional aftermath for survivors
• 28:14 – 31:27: Legal analysis with Laura Marquez Garrett
• 31:39 – 32:58: Banner ceremony and honoring the children
• 32:58 – 36:55: Advocacy plans, upcoming trials, Social Media Victims Remembrance Day
• 37:38 – 39:38: Reflection, movement-building, final thoughts

Tone & Language

• First-person, intimately confessional, advocacy-driven
• Tone alternates between tense, hopeful, vindicated, and urgent
• Language is accessible, direct, emotionally resonant—a “for us, by us” feeling for concerned parents

Main Takeaways for Listeners

• The Big Tech on Trial verdict exposes internal knowledge and negligence at Meta and YouTube regarding harm to minors.
• Emotional validation and sorrow were palpable for families; survivors and advocates are newly energized for the next phase of legislative and legal reform.
• Upcoming mass torts, additional lawsuits, and legislative campaigns are on the horizon, and parental involvement is critical to maintaining momentum.
• Historic moments like this take years of effort but can spark broad societal change—comparisons to the Big Tobacco trials highlight both the challenge and possibility of the movement.
• Concrete action items include contacting legislators, participating in advocacy events, and joining collective movements like Social Media Victims Remembrance Day.

For Listeners: How to Get Involved

• Sign up for the email list (form linked in episode notes) to join advocacy efforts and receive updates.
• Participate in Social Media Victims Remembrance Day—June 23 in Washington D.C. or virtually.
• Contact legislators to support new laws protecting children online.
• Share the episode and movement with other concerned parents.

"Stay engaged. Stay with us. We’re going to win." — Sarah ([39:35])
"We’re already winning." — Nicki ([39:38])