Question 1

What is MDL 3047?

Accepted Answer

MDL 3047 is a multidistrict litigation consolidating hundreds of lawsuits against social media companies including Meta, TikTok, Snap, and Google. The lawsuits allege these companies designed their platforms to be addictive to children and teenagers, causing mental health harm including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.

Question 2

Which companies are defendants in MDL 3047?

Accepted Answer

The primary defendants include Meta (Facebook, Instagram), TikTok (ByteDance), Snap Inc. (Snapchat), and Google (YouTube). These companies are accused of using manipulative design patterns like infinite scroll, autoplay, and algorithmic recommendations to maximize engagement regardless of harm to young users.

Question 3

What are addictive design patterns in social media?

Accepted Answer

Addictive design patterns include features like infinite scroll (endless content feeds), variable reward schedules (unpredictable likes/notifications), social validation loops, autoplay videos, and algorithmic recommendations optimized for engagement over wellbeing. These patterns exploit psychological vulnerabilities, particularly in developing adolescent brains.

Glossary