Ep 109: The Legal Fight for Safer Social Media with Joel Wright

Episode description:

Social media can shape how we think about food, bodies, and ourselves—but what happens when algorithms actively steer vulnerable young people toward harmful content? On this episode of Peace Meal, Joel Wright, founder of Wright Law Group, joins Jillian Lampert to discuss the legal action seeking to hold social media companies accountable for the ways their platforms can contribute to harm, including eating disorder development and maintenance.

Drawing from his legal work and his personal experience as a parent of a child who has experienced an eating disorder, Joel discusses how algorithms can amplify eating disorder and body-related content, what changes could make social media safer, and why parents and families may need more control over what young people see online. He also shares advice for parents, including the importance of modeling healthy technology habits and recognizing potential warning signs.

About Joel:

Joel Wright is the founder of Wright Law Group and has practiced law for more than 25 years. He works closely with affected families, treatment providers, and eating-disorder organizations to help people understand their legal rights and advocate for safer social media platforms.

Joel lives in Utah with his wife, five children, and two dogs. His family has a history of eating disorders, giving his work a deeply personal dimension. He enjoys hiking, mountain biking, yoga, food made with love, and disconnecting from his phone.

We cover:

• How social media algorithms can amplify eating disorder and body-related content
• Why eating disorders are an important part of the broader conversation around social media-related harm
• What changes could make social media platforms safer for young people
• How families can think about participating in legal action against social media companies
• Advice for parents on recognizing potential eating disorder warning signs and modeling healthy technology habits

In Joel’s words:

• On why social media algorithms matter: “Eating disorder content has been proven to be very sticky and generate a lot of screen time with young women.”
• On creating safer social media: “Deliberately stop escalating weight loss, body comparison, eating disorder content. I mean, Jillian, for the power of social media, let’s just say that they deliberately downgraded that and they deliberately upgraded healthy positive body image stuff. How much would that change our youth in a matter of months?”
• On parents modeling healthy technology habits: “Parents, you need to model good behavior. Do you turn your phone off? … Phones are prohibited at our dinner table. Everyone in my family has the right to tell me or someone else, ‘Turn off your phone and pay attention to me.’”

Learn more about the lawsuit on Joel’s website and contact Joel and his team by calling or texting 844-335-2978. 

About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email podcast@emilyprogram.com for more information.