社交媒体成瘾诉讼：Meta、YouTube 面临里程碑式审判
1. Background Knowledge 新闻背景
事件概述： 2025年，一场被称为”里程碑式”（landmark）的审判在洛杉矶开庭。原告是一名19岁的年轻人，指控 Meta（Facebook、Instagram）和 Google（YouTube）故意将产品设计成让儿童上瘾的形式，导致其出现技术成瘾和自杀念头。TikTok 和 Snap（Snapchat）原本也是被告，但已以未公开金额达成和解。
为什么重要：
- 这是首次绕过《通信规范法》第230条（Section 230）的保护，不追究平台上用户发布的内容，而是直接针对算法推送机制和针对性投放方式提起诉讼。
- 此案被称为”bellwether case”（风向标案件），因为有数千起类似诉讼在等待观望此案结果。
- 媒体将此案类比为上世纪90年代的烟草诉讼——当年烟草公司被指控明知产品有害且致瘾，仍故意推销，最终以巨额和解告终。
- Meta CEO 马克·扎克伯格（Mark Zuckerberg）和 Instagram 负责人亚当·莫塞里（Adam Mosseri）将亲自出庭作证，使此案更加引人关注。
核心争议： 社交媒体公司是否通过算法故意让未成年人沉迷于其产品？平台应为儿童的心理健康问题承担多大责任？
2. Cloze Test 新闻填空练习
Directions: Fill in each blank with the correct word. The first letter is given as a hint.
Opening statements began today in Los Angeles in a l________ trial over alleged social media addiction. Meta’s Facebook and Instagram and Google’s YouTube have been accused of d________ designing their products to addict and harm children. The case was brought by a 19-year-old who claims that using social media from a young age led to a technology addiction and s________ thoughts.
TikTok and Snap, which were originally named in the lawsuit, have settled for u________ sums. Normally whenever social media companies have faced criticism for items that have been posted on their site, they cite the Communications Decency Act, Section 230, which basically gives them p________.
This case is about how they delivered that information to individuals. It looks at the a________ and it looks at the targeting — the methods that these companies used to essentially get kids addicted to the product. Meta confirmed that Mark Zuckerberg is going to take the s________, so that’s going to be something that everyone is watching.
It’s a b________ case because there are thousands of cases just like this waiting in the wings. A lot of people have said that this is not unlike the big t________ trials in the 90s, where they were accused of deliberately making products that were dangerous and they knew were a________ and trying to hook people on it.
3. Answers 练习答案
- landmark — 里程碑式的，具有重大意义的
- deliberately — 故意地，蓄意地
- suicidal — 自杀的，有自杀倾向的
- undisclosed — 未公开的，保密的
- protection — 保护，庇护（指法律保护）
- algorithms — 算法（指社交媒体的推荐算法）
- stand — 证人席（take the stand = 出庭作证）
- bellwether — 风向标，先导指标
- tobacco — 烟草（指90年代烟草诉讼）
- addictive — 令人上瘾的
4. Bilingual Version 双语对照
Opening statements began today in Los Angeles in a landmark trial over alleged social media addiction. Meta’s Facebook and Instagram and Google’s YouTube have been accused of deliberately designing their products to addict and harm children. The case was brought by a 19-year-old who claims that using social media from a young age led to a technology addiction and suicidal thoughts. TikTok and Snap, which were originally named in the lawsuit, have settled for undisclosed sums.
今天，一场关于社交媒体成瘾指控的里程碑式审判在洛杉矶开始了开庭陈述。Meta旗下的Facebook和Instagram以及Google旗下的YouTube被指控故意将其产品设计成让儿童上瘾并造成伤害的形式。此案由一名19岁的年轻人提起，他声称从小使用社交媒体导致了技术成瘾和自杀念头。TikTok和Snap（原本也是被告）已以未公开的金额达成和解。
So normally whenever social media companies have faced criticism for items that have been posted on their site, they cite the Communications Decency Act, Section 230, which basically gives them protection. Mainly, it says they are not liable for what other people post on their platforms. That’s not what this case is about. This case is about how they delivered that information to individuals. It looks at the algorithms and it looks at the targeting — the methods that these companies used to essentially, in the plaintiffs’ words, get kids addicted to the product here.
通常情况下，社交媒体公司在因其网站上发布的内容受到批评时，会援引《通信规范法》第230条来保护自己。该法条主要规定，平台对其他人在其平台上发布的内容不承担责任。但这不是本案的焦点。本案关注的是这些公司如何向个人推送这些信息。它审视的是算法和定向投放——用原告的话来说，就是这些公司让孩子们对其产品上瘾所使用的手段。
So Meta and Facebook are named in this trial, so we’re expecting to hear from Mark Zuckerberg. And Meta confirmed that he is going to take the stand, so that’s going to be something that everyone is watching. Also the head of Instagram, CEO Adam Mosseri, he is going to be testifying on the witness stand.
Meta和Facebook是本案的被告，所以我们预计会听到马克·扎克伯格的证词。Meta已确认他将出庭作证，这将是所有人关注的焦点。此外，Instagram负责人、CEO亚当·莫塞里也将在证人席上作证。
Now, you mentioned before that Snap and TikTok have already settled this case. That says a lot, right? It says that this method that they’re going to go after, this mechanism of delivering this content to children, well, there may be something there if two of these social media networks already settled. But YouTube and Meta say that is not the case, they are there to protect children and they’re willing to defend it in court and even put Zuckerberg on the stand.
你之前提到Snap和TikTok已经就此案达成和解。这说明了很多问题，对吧？这说明他们要追究的这种向儿童推送内容的机制，可能确实存在问题——既然已经有两家社交媒体网络选择了和解。但YouTube和Meta表示情况并非如此，他们致力于保护儿童，并愿意在法庭上为自己辩护，甚至让扎克伯格亲自出庭作证。
It’s a bellwether case because there are thousands, literally thousands of cases just like this waiting in the wings. And what they’re watching for is to see the success of this particular strategy. A lot of people have said that this is not unlike the big tobacco trials in the 90s, where they were accused of deliberately making products that were dangerous and they knew were addictive and trying to hook people on it. Well, the tobacco companies ended up settling, and this is a similar method that these plaintiffs are approaching towards social media companies and how they deliver content in an addictive way to children.
这是一个风向标案件，因为有数千起——真的是数千起——类似的案件在等待观望。它们关注的是这一特定诉讼策略的成败。很多人说这与90年代的烟草大审判如出一辙——当时烟草公司被指控故意生产他们明知有害且致瘾的产品，并试图让人们对其上瘾。最终烟草公司选择了和解。而现在原告们正在用类似的方法来对付社交媒体公司以及它们以令人上瘾的方式向儿童推送内容的行为。
5. Detailed Study Notes 详细学习笔记
Core Vocabulary 核心词汇
1. landmark /ˈlænd.mɑːrk/
- 词性：adj. / n.
- 释义：里程碑式的；具有划时代意义的（事件/判决）
- 搭配：a landmark trial / decision / ruling / case
- 例句：The Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling on data privacy.（最高法院就数据隐私问题作出了里程碑式的裁决。）
- 辨析：landmark vs. groundbreaking — landmark 强调”历史意义重大”，常用于法律、政策；groundbreaking 强调”开创性”，常用于科技、研究。
2. algorithm /ˈæl.ɡə.rɪ.ðəm/
- 词性：n.
- 释义：算法（尤指社交媒体的推荐算法）
- 搭配：recommendation algorithm, feed algorithm, algorithm-driven content
- 例句：The algorithm decides what content appears on your feed.（算法决定了你的信息流中出现什么内容。）
- 辨析：algorithm vs. mechanism — algorithm 特指计算机程序的逻辑规则；mechanism 泛指任何运作方式或机制。
3. addictive /əˈdɪk.tɪv/
- 词性：adj.
- 释义：令人上瘾的，使人入迷的
- 搭配：highly addictive, addictive behavior / substance / design
- 例句：Critics argue that infinite scrolling is an addictive design feature.（批评者认为无限滚动是一种令人上瘾的设计特征。）
- 相关词：addict (n./v.), addiction (n.), addicted (adj.)
- 辨析：addictive vs. addicted — addictive 描述事物本身的特性（令人上瘾的）；addicted 描述人的状态（上瘾的）。This game is addictive. / He is addicted to this game.
4. plaintiff /ˈpleɪn.tɪf/
- 词性：n.
- 释义：原告（民事诉讼中提起诉讼的一方）
- 搭配：the plaintiff’s claim / argument / attorney
- 例句：The plaintiff argued that the company had been negligent.（原告辩称该公司存在疏忽。）
- 辨析：plaintiff vs. defendant — plaintiff 是原告（起诉方），defendant 是被告（被起诉方）。
5. settle /ˈset.əl/
- 词性：v.
- 释义：（在诉讼中）和解，达成庭外协议
- 搭配：settle a case / lawsuit / dispute, settle out of court, settle for (an amount)
- 例句：The company chose to settle rather than risk a jury verdict.（该公司选择和解，而不是冒陪审团判决的风险。）
- 辨析：settle vs. resolve — settle 常指通过协商/赔偿达成协议（尤其是法律语境）；resolve 更泛指解决问题。
6. bellwether /ˈbel.weð.ər/
- 词性：n. / adj.
- 释义：风向标，先行指标（预示未来趋势的事物）
- 搭配：a bellwether case / state / indicator
- 例句：This election is seen as a bellwether for the national mood.（这次选举被视为全国民意的风向标。）
- 词源：bell（铃）+ wether（阉羊）——领头羊脖子上系铃铛，引导羊群方向。
Key Expressions 重点表达
1. take the stand
- 含义：出庭作证（走上证人席）
- 结构：sb. + take the stand / take the witness stand
- 例句：The CEO will take the stand to defend the company’s practices.（CEO将出庭作证，为公司的做法辩护。）
- 扩展：on the stand（在证人席上），hostile witness（敌意证人）
2. waiting in the wings
- 含义：等待时机，准备就绪（随时准备登场）
- 来源：戏剧术语，指演员在舞台侧幕（wings）等候上场
- 例句：There are hundreds of similar lawsuits waiting in the wings.（有数百起类似诉讼在等待时机。）
- 近义表达：on standby, ready to go, in the pipeline
3. not unlike
- 含义：与……颇为相似（双重否定表肯定，语气比 “similar to” 更委婉/书面）
- 结构：A is not unlike B
- 例句：His management style is not unlike that of Steve Jobs.（他的管理风格与乔布斯颇为相似。）
- 注意：这是一种修辞手法（litotes，缓叙法），在正式写作和新闻报道中常见。
4. hook people on it
- 含义：让人上瘾，使人欲罢不能
- 结构：hook sb. on sth.
- 例句：The free trial is designed to hook users on the service.（免费试用旨在让用户对该服务上瘾。）
- 近义表达：get sb. addicted to, lure sb. into
Useful Collocations 实用搭配
法律诉讼类：
- opening statements — 开庭陈述
- bring a case — 提起诉讼
- be named in a lawsuit — 被列为诉讼被告
- cite (a law/act) — 援引（法律/法案）
- be liable for — 对……承担法律责任
- testify on the witness stand — 在证人席上作证
- defend it in court — 在法庭上为其辩护
社交媒体与科技类：
- social media addiction — 社交媒体成瘾
- deliberately design — 故意设计
- deliver content to individuals — 向个人推送内容
- algorithm-driven targeting — 算法驱动的定向投放
程度与结果类：
- led to … addiction — 导致……成瘾
- settle for undisclosed sums — 以未公开金额和解
- that says a lot — 这说明了很多问题
Grammar Focus 语法重点
长难句解析：
“A lot of people have said that this is not unlike the big tobacco trials in the 90s, where they were accused of deliberately making products that were dangerous and they knew were addictive and trying to hook people on it.”
结构拆解：
- 主句：A lot of people have said that…（很多人说……）
- that 引导宾语从句：this is not unlike the big tobacco trials
- where 引导非限制性定语从句，修饰 the big tobacco trials
- 从句内部包含并列结构：accused of ① deliberately making products… AND ② trying to hook people on it
- products 后跟两个定语从句：that were dangerous / (that) they knew were addictive
- “they knew were addictive” 是省略了 that 的嵌套从句：they knew (that the products) were addictive
翻译： 很多人说这与90年代的烟草大审判如出一辙——当时烟草公司被指控故意生产他们明知有害且致瘾的产品，并试图让人们对其上瘾。
Listening Tips 听力技巧
连读现象：
- “waited‿in the wings” — waited 结尾的 /d/ 与 in 的 /ɪ/ 连读
- “hook people‿on‿it” — 三个词几乎连成一体 /hʊk piːpəl ɒnɪt/
- “take‿the stand” — take 的 /k/ 与 the 快速衔接
弱读现象：
- “accused of” — of 弱读为 /əv/ 甚至 /ə/
- “for what other people” — what 弱读
- “they are not liable” — are 弱读为 /ə/
易听错的词：
- bellwether /ˈbel.weð.ər/ — 注意 th 发 /ð/，不要听成 “bell weather”
- plaintiffs /ˈpleɪn.tɪfs/ — 结尾 -ffs 轻且快，容易漏听
- algorithms /ˈæl.ɡə.rɪ.ðəmz/ — 注意重音在第一音节，th 发 /ð/
6. Topic Vocabulary 主题词汇
法律与诉讼：
- litigation /ˌlɪt.ɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/ 诉讼，打官司
- class action /klɑːs ˈæk.ʃən/ 集体诉讼
- verdict /ˈvɜːr.dɪkt/ 裁决，判决
- negligence /ˈneɡ.lɪ.dʒəns/ 疏忽，过失
- damages /ˈdæm.ɪ.dʒɪz/ （法律）损害赔偿金
- jurisdiction /ˌdʒʊr.ɪsˈdɪk.ʃən/ 司法管辖权
- precedent /ˈpres.ɪ.dənt/ 判例，先例
科技与社交媒体：
- screen time /skriːn taɪm/ 屏幕使用时间
- infinite scroll /ˈɪn.fɪ.nət skroʊl/ 无限滚动
- push notification /pʊʃ ˌnoʊ.tɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ 推送通知
- data harvesting /ˈdeɪ.tə ˈhɑːr.vɪs.tɪŋ/ 数据采集
- dopamine loop /ˈdoʊ.pə.miːn luːp/ 多巴胺循环
- engagement metrics /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ.mənt ˈmet.rɪks/ 用户参与度指标
- content moderation /ˈkɒn.tent ˌmɒd.əˈreɪ.ʃən/ 内容审核
心理健康：
- mental health /ˈmen.təl helθ/ 心理健康
- cyberbullying /ˈsaɪ.bər.bʊl.i.ɪŋ/ 网络霸凌
- self-esteem /ˌself.ɪˈstiːm/ 自尊心
- body image /ˈbɒd.i ˌɪm.ɪdʒ/ 身体形象（对外貌的自我认知）
语气与场合区分：
- “addicted to social media” — 较口语化，日常可用
- “social media dependency” — 更正式，适合学术写作
- “hooked on their phones” — 非常口语化，带轻微贬义
- “technology overuse disorder” — 医学/学术用语
7. Common Mistakes 易错点提醒
中国学习者常见错误：
❌ The company was accused to design addictive products.
✅ The company was accused of designing addictive products.
📝 accuse sb. of doing sth. 是固定搭配，介词用 of，后接动名词。
❌ This case is not like the tobacco trials.
✅ This case is not unlike the tobacco trials.
📝 not unlike ≠ not like。not unlike 是双重否定表示”颇为相似”，语气更委婉；not like 是直接否定”不像”。
❌ He will take stand in the court.
✅ He will take the stand in court.
📝 take the stand 是固定表达，需要定冠词 the；in court 前面不加 the。
❌ They settled the undisclosed sums.
✅ They settled for undisclosed sums.
📝 settle for = 以……和解/接受。settle 后不直接接金额，需要介词 for。
❌ There are thousands of cases waiting at the wings.
✅ There are thousands of cases waiting in the wings.
📝 in the wings（在侧幕/幕后）是固定搭配，不能用 at。
易混淆表达辨析：
❌ The children are addictive to social media.
✅ The children are addicted to social media.
📝 addictive 形容事物（令人上瘾的）；addicted 形容人（上了瘾的）。Social media is addictive. Kids are addicted.
❌ He cited the lawsuit against the company.
✅ He filed the lawsuit against the company.
📝 cite = 援引、引用（法律条文）；file = 提起（诉讼）。cite a law ≠ file a lawsuit。
8. Discussion Questions 口语话题
学以致用：从”输入”转向”输出”。掌握了新闻细节和核心词汇后，最重要的就是将它们转化为你自己的表达。以下话题模拟了雅思口语 Part 3 或深度辩论的场景。请尝试在回答中自然地运用我们刚刚学到的关键词，这不仅能巩固记忆，更能让你的表达瞬间变得专业且深刻。
Q1: Should social media companies be held liable for children’s mental health issues caused by their platforms?
（社交媒体公司是否应该为其平台导致的儿童心理健康问题承担法律责任？）
| Reference Answer | Key Words |
|---|---|
| I believe social media companies should bear some liability, especially when their algorithms are deliberately designed to maximize engagement among minors. It’s not unlike the tobacco industry — they know their products are addictive, yet they continue to target young users. A landmark case like this could set a crucial precedent for holding tech companies accountable. | liability 法律责任 / algorithm 算法 / deliberately designed 故意设计 / not unlike 颇为相似 / addictive 令人上瘾的 / target 针对、瞄准 / landmark 里程碑式的 / precedent 先例 |
中文翻译：我认为社交媒体公司应该承担一定的法律责任，特别是当他们的算法被故意设计成最大化未成年人参与度的时候。这与烟草行业颇为相似——他们明知自己的产品令人上瘾，却仍然继续针对年轻用户。像这样的里程碑式案件可以为追究科技公司的责任树立重要先例。
Q2: Some argue that parents, not companies, should be responsible for monitoring children’s screen time. What’s your view?
（有人认为应该由父母而非公司来负责监控孩子的屏幕使用时间。你怎么看？）
| Reference Answer | Key Words |
|---|---|
| While parental oversight is important, I think it’s unrealistic to put the entire burden on parents. These platforms use sophisticated algorithms and addictive design features like infinite scroll and push notifications that even adults struggle to resist. When companies deliberately engineer products to hook users, they should be held accountable. It’s a shared responsibility — parents need tools, and companies need regulation. | platform 平台 / algorithm 算法 / addictive 令人上瘾的 / deliberately 故意地 / hook 使上瘾 / held accountable 被追究责任 |
中文翻译：虽然父母的监督很重要，但我认为把全部责任推给父母是不现实的。这些平台使用精密的算法和令人上瘾的设计功能，如无限滚动和推送通知，连成年人都难以抵抗。当公司故意将产品设计成让用户上瘾的形式时，他们应该被追究责任。这是一个共同的责任——父母需要工具，公司需要监管。
Q3: This trial has been compared to the tobacco lawsuits of the 1990s. Do you think this comparison is fair?
（此次审判被比作90年代的烟草诉讼。你认为这个比较公平吗？）
| Reference Answer | Key Words |
|---|---|
| The comparison is largely fair. Both industries created products they knew were addictive and deliberately marketed them to vulnerable groups. The tobacco companies eventually settled, and I think social media firms will face a similar reckoning. However, there’s one key difference: social media isn’t inherently harmful — it’s the algorithm-driven delivery mechanism that’s the problem. This bellwether case will determine whether courts agree. | addictive 令人上瘾的 / deliberately 故意地 / settled 和解 / algorithm-driven 算法驱动的 / mechanism 机制 / bellwether 风向标 |
中文翻译：这个比较基本上是公平的。两个行业都制造了他们明知令人上瘾的产品，并故意向弱势群体推销。烟草公司最终选择了和解，我认为社交媒体公司也将面临类似的清算。但有一个关键区别：社交媒体本身并非天生有害——问题在于算法驱动的内容推送机制。这个风向标案件将决定法院是否认同这一观点。
进阶学习小贴士 — 遮盖法三步练习：
- 第一步： 遮住左列”参考回答”，只看右列关键词提示，尝试自己组织语言回答问题。
- 第二步： 对照参考回答，找出自己遗漏或表达不够地道的部分，标记下来。
- 第三步： 遮住所有内容，只看问题本身，计时2分钟，完成一次完整的口头回答。录音回听，检查是否自然运用了关键词。
9. Exam Link 考试关联
雅思口语 Part 2/3 相关话题：
- Describe a time when you spent too much time on social media.
- Describe a law that you think is important for society.
- Part 3: Should governments regulate social media? / Do you think technology companies have too much power?
雅思写作 Task 2 相关真题：
- “Some people believe that social media has a negative impact on young people’s mental health. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”
- “Many argue that technology companies should be held responsible for the content on their platforms. Discuss both views and give your opinion.”
六级 / 考研高频词汇（本篇涉及）：
- landmark（六级/考研）里程碑式的
- algorithm（六级/考研）算法
- plaintiff（考研）原告
- liability（六级/考研）责任，义务
- addictive（六级）令人上瘾的
- deliberately（六级/考研）故意地
- mechanism（六级/考研）机制
- precedent（考研）先例
10. Summary for Review 复习总结
10个必记要点：
- landmark trial — 里程碑式审判。本案针对社交媒体公司的算法设计，而非用户发布的内容。
- Section 230 — 《通信规范法》第230条，通常保护平台不为用户内容担责，但本案绕过了这一保护。
- algorithm + targeting — 本案核心指控：公司通过算法和定向投放让儿童上瘾。
- take the stand — 出庭作证。扎克伯格和莫塞里将亲自出庭。
- settle for undisclosed sums — 以未公开金额和解。TikTok 和 Snap 已经和解。
- bellwether case — 风向标案件，数千起类似案件在等待此案结果。
- not unlike the tobacco trials — 与烟草诉讼的类比：明知有害且致瘾，仍故意推销。
- addictive vs. addicted — 事物是 addictive（令人上瘾的），人是 addicted（上瘾的）。
- waiting in the wings — 在幕后等待时机，源自戏剧术语。
- hook people on it — 让人上瘾。hook 在口语中非常常用，= get sb. addicted to sth.
