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April 23, 2026

Title: SOCIAL MEDIA IS ADDICTIVE AND HARMFUL
Topic: Teens and Social Media

Discussed by Emily Washburn
with Daily Citizen (DailyCitizen.com)

Are social media companies like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube hurting our children? Juries in both liberal California and New Mexico have stated: YES.

Today, Emily Washburn discusses why social media can be so addicting and why we all need to be more aware of the harm it does to young children and teens. Emily is an Issues Analyst at the Daily Citizen, an online publication for Focus on the Family.

Click here to read more from Emily on this and other issues.

NOTE: The lead attorney for the case against Meta and Google, Mark Lanier, was on the program on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Check the archives for that interview and more details about that case.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Is there documented proof that Meta and Google knew their platforms were harming children?

Some Conservative pundits have stated that lawsuits are not the answer, but rather parents should monitor their children/teens on social media. Are lawsuits not only necessary, but proper?

Are social media platforms safe for children – or even for adults?

Are social media platforms addictive?

How can we confidently use social media and avoid becoming addicted or harmed?

Click here for some FREE resources from Focus on the Family.

Click here to help support the Daily Citizen, an online publication for Focus on the Family.

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April 22, 2026

Title: IS SOCIAL MEDIA HARMFUL AND DANGEROUS?
Topic: Teens and Social Media

Discussed by Paul Asay
with Plugged In (www.PluggedIn.com)

Juries in New Mexico and California found Meta and Google guilty of harming children and exploiting them on their platforms.

To listen to the interview with attorney Mark Lanier, lead attorney for the case, go to our archives and search for the date: April 1, 2026.

Paul Asay is the Director of Plugged In, a division of Focus on the Family. Today, Paul discusses this historic verdict and how parents can protect their kids/teens and themselves from the dangers of social media.

Click here to read the latest from the Plugged In blog on all things media-related.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

How many movies and television shows has Paul Asay watched over his nearly two decades with Plugged In? This number is insane!! I feel kind of sorry for him…But it’s important!

We know that watching movies and television shows can have an impact on our brains. But, what does social media do to our brains? Paul explains how “rapid fire storytelling can do a number on our brains.”

Does social media effect adults just as much as kids/teens?

Did Meta and Google intentionally target teens/kids with their content?

What was the verdict against Meta and Google? Will this case be appealed? How many other cases against Meta and Google have already been filed?

What can and should parents do to protect their kids/teens? Paul Asay has some great suggestions for both kids/teens and adults, encouraging us to say NO to the phone.

Click here to help support Focus on the Family, the parent company for Plugged In.

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April 2, 2026

Title: FACT: SOCIAL MEDIA IS ADDICTIVE AND HARMFUL
Topic: Teens and Social Media

Discussed by Emily Washburn
with Daily Citizen (DailyCitizen.com)

Are social media companies like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube hurting our children? Juries in both liberal California and New Mexico have stated: YES.

Today, Emily Washburn discusses why social media can be so addicting and why we all need to be more aware of the harm it does to young children and teens. Emily is an Issues Analyst at the Daily Citizen, an online publication for Focus on the Family.

Click here to read more from Emily on this and other issues.

NOTE: The lead attorney for the case against Meta and Google, Mark Lanier, was on the program on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Check the archives for that interview and more details about that case.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Is there documented proof that Meta and Google knew their platforms were harming children?

Some Conservative pundits have stated that lawsuits are not the answer, but rather parents should monitor their children/teens on social media. Are lawsuits not only necessary, but proper?

Are social media platforms safe for children – or even for adults?

Are social media platforms addictive?

How can we confidently use social media and avoid becoming addicted or harmed?

Click here for some FREE resources from Focus on the Family.

Click here to help support the Daily Citizen, an online publication for Focus on the Family.

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April 1, 2026

Title: VERDICT IN LANDMARK SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION TRIAL
Topic: Teens and Social Media

Discussed by W. Mark Lanier
with Lanier Law Firm (www.LanierLawFirm.com)

Did technology companies know their platforms were hooking children and harming their mental health?

Today, renowned Attorney Mark Lanier discusses the verdict against the Tech Giants Meta Platforms Inc. and Google’s YouTube. The Lanier Law Firm is an award-winning national trial firm specializing in variety of practice areas including asbestos exposure, pharmaceutical liability, business litigation, and product liability.

Click here for more information about this landmark case.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

What was the premise in the trial against Meta and YouTube?

Was there just one plaintiff, referred to as KGM, or are there thousands more plaintiffs across America?

During the trial, were jurors presented evidence that Meta and YouTube knew their platforms were hooking children and harming their mental health? Mark discusses some of the compelling evidence.

At the beginning of a trial, Mark chooses a scripture passage to lean into and to rely on – to guide and give him strength and comfort. Why did he choose Proverbs 21:31 “The horse is made ready for battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord” for this trial?

What was the jury verdict? Why is this historic? Is this trial over? Or does Mark expect appeals? What about the other plaintiffs? How will their cases be handled?

Some Conservative pundits are criticizing Mark and others for bringing this lawsuit against Meta and YouTube, claiming the suit is interfering too much into parental decisions. What is Mark’s response to this claim? Oooooh! Mark’s response is perfect!

Click here for more information about the Lanier Law Firm.

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March 28, 2023

Title: Teens and Social Media: Good or Bad?
Topic: Teens and Social Media

Discussed by Adam Holz
with Plugged In (www.PluggedIn.com)

Tik Tok is once again causing a stir in the news with experts warning that it may be impacting teens’ mental health.

Adam Holz is the Director of Plugged In with Focus on the Family. He strives to help parents think through social media and cultural trends through a Biblical lens. Today, he discusses the pros and cons of social media for tweens and teens, specifically Tik Tok.

Click here for the FREE Parent’s Guide to Today’s Technology from Plugged In.

Click here for more from Adam Holz.

Click here for more information about Plugged In.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Is it healthy for any one of any age to stare at a screen for hours every day? Adam explains the negative effects screens have on our brains, especially in tweens, teens, and young adults.

When should a tween/teen be given their first smart phone/iPad/computer?

Should these devices have parental controls? Adam explains how the parental controls work and apps parents can purchase to keep their children/teens safe online.

When connected, should the tween/teen have access to TikTok?

There is a lot of talk about social media being harmful. What are some tips to regulating screen time and social media use? Adam has a great, Biblical response for this...

Are there benefits of social media? Adam says: “There are times we can enjoy the content… But we have to do it in moderation.”

Click here to help support Focus on the Family, the parent-company or Plugged In.

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