86% of Americans Want Meta, Google Held Accountable for Social Media Addiction Crisis

Survey finds majority of voters more likely to support lawmakers who crack down on 'dangerous social media features'

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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A new survey found that 86% of Americans want Meta (Facebook) and Google to be held accountable for their role in fueling a social media addiction crisis that has contributed to anxiety, eating disorders, and even suicide among children and teens. The survey also showed that two-thirds of voters said they were more likely to support lawmakers who backed legislation to address harmful social media features like infinite scroll and predatory algorithms.

Why it matters

This survey comes as Meta and Google face a landmark trial in California accusing them of deliberately designing their social media platforms to be addictive in order to boost profits, despite internal research showing the damaging effects on young users. The trial is seen as a potential turning point that could influence how similar cases are decided across the country.

The details

The survey, conducted by the Tech Oversight Project, found that 67% of American voters said they were more likely to vote for lawmakers who supported legislation to crack down on 'dangerous social media features like infinite scroll, near-constant notifications, and predatory algorithms.' The trial, which began on February 9th, features internal documents that allegedly show Meta and Google were aware of the harmful impacts of their products on children and teens but prioritized engagement and profits over user safety.

  • The survey was conducted from February 11-13, 2026.
  • The California trial against Meta and Google began on February 9, 2026 and is expected to stretch into March.

The players

Meta

The parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms.

Google

The multinational technology company that owns YouTube and other online services.

Sacha Haworth

The executive director of the Tech Oversight Project, which conducted the survey.

Mark Zuckerberg

The CEO of Meta, who is set to testify in the California trial.

Kaley (or KGM)

The 20-year-old lead plaintiff in the trial, who alleges that deliberately addictive features in Instagram and YouTube fueled her depression and suicidal thoughts.

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What they’re saying

“This trial has already proven that there is a direct link between Big Tech's dangerous product designs and real-world harms, and it should come as no surprise that voters are mad as hell and want Congress to do something about it.”

— Sacha Haworth, Executive Director, Tech Oversight Project

“For the first time, Meta is in the prone position of having to produce documents under court order – with actual legal penalties on the line. This isn't a consequence-free zone or yet another opportunity to lie to lawmakers without fear of penalty.”

— Sacha Haworth, Executive Director, Tech Oversight Project

What’s next

The judge in the California trial will decide in the coming weeks whether to allow Meta and Google to continue operating their social media platforms as they currently do or impose new restrictions to protect user safety, especially for young people.

The takeaway

This landmark trial and the public outcry it has sparked highlight the growing demand for accountability and reform in the social media industry. The survey results show that voters are ready to support lawmakers who take concrete action to address the harms caused by addictive platform design and algorithmic amplification of harmful content.