Will these lawsuits change how social media works?

Jury selection began this Tuesday for the first of a slew of trials that will put some of the world’s largest social media companies on the defense.

Thousands of plaintiffs, including individuals, school districts, and state attorneys general, allege that YouTube, Meta, TikTok, and Snap — owners of Snapchat — have for years made social media products that the companies know are addictive and harmful to their young users. They’re suing for monetary damages, and in some cases, changes to the features these platforms are allowed to include.

Some are saying these lawsuits could harken social media’s “Big Tobacco moment,” and change the national conversation about social media addiction.

“I think what this will do is turn the tables so that people will interrogate more the actions of the companies,” said Cecilia Kang, a technology reporter at the New York Times. “That’ll be a relief in some ways, and a change in the way that society thinks about how maybe children in some ways have been the guinea pigs—and maybe even the victims—of businesses that have not put them first.”

“Marketplace” host Kimberly Adams talked to Cecilia Kang about her reporting on these lawsuits.

To listen to their conversation, use the audio player above.