Is This Tech's Big Tobacco Moment? | 2026 Common Sense Summit

Why It Matters

The lawsuits and legislative pushes signal a potential shift toward holding tech giants legally accountable for harming children, reshaping industry practices and influencing future digital‑policy frameworks.

Key Takeaways

• AGs file multistate lawsuits alleging social media harms to children.
• Internal documents reveal platforms knowingly design addictive features for minors.
• New Mexico undercover operation exposed rampant predatory solicitations on Meta.
• Trials aim to set liability precedents for tech companies’ mental‑health impact.
• Bipartisan legislative push for age‑appropriate design code faces Section‑230 challenges.

Summary

The Common Sense Summit panel brought together California Attorney General Rob Bonta and New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez to argue that big‑tech platforms are entering a "big tobacco" moment. Both officials detailed multistate litigation against Meta, TikTok and other firms, emphasizing that state attorneys general are coordinating bipartisan efforts to protect children from digital harms. Key evidence cited includes internal company documents that acknowledge the addictive nature of features such as infinite scroll, autoplay and likes, and that these designs are deliberately targeted at minors. Torrez described an undercover operation in which a special‑agent profile was flooded with sexual solicitations, prompting Meta to suggest monetization options rather than safety measures. Bonta highlighted ongoing cases in California, including a trial on a young woman’s YouTube and Instagram addiction, and an upcoming August trial in the broader "medic" case. The discussion featured vivid anecdotes: Torrez’s “Operation Metaphile” that led to three men being arrested after arranging a meeting with an undercover minor, and courtroom moments where jurors and experts broke down in tears over the real‑world impact on children. Bonta stressed that despite aggressive PR and lobbying, the platforms’ profit‑first model continues to prioritize engagement over safety. These proceedings could set landmark liability precedents, forcing tech firms to redesign algorithms, add warning labels, and comply with age‑appropriate design codes. The battles also intersect with Section 230 defenses and may spur federal action, reshaping the regulatory landscape for social media and its influence on youth mental health.

Original Description

For decades, tobacco companies denied the harm their products caused, even as internal documents told a different story. Today, a growing number of state attorneys general say tech companies are following the same playbook. California AG Rob Bonta and New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez have each been active in investigations and major litigation intended to hold social media platforms and AI developers accountable for documented harms to children and teens. In this conversation, they'll examine the most significant active cases against tech companies, the evidence that's emerging, and state efforts to protect young tech users.

Speakers:

Rob Bonta, Attorney General, California Department of Justice

Raúl Torrez, Attorney General of New Mexico, NM Department of Justice

Dylan Byers, Founding Partner, Puck