The Heat is On...Big Tech on Trial: Week 2 Recap (Meta Stalls. Families Stand)
Sat Feb 07 2026
Week 2 inside the courtroom didn’t unfold the way anyone expected.
Just as jury selection was set to continue, the judge announced a sudden pause—triggered by illness, followed by a denied request from Meta to delay the trial for 30 days. What does a delay really mean in a case like this? And who benefits when time is bought?
In this episode of The Heat is On…Big Tech on Trial, hosts Nicki Petrossi (of Scrolling 2 Death) and Sarah Gardner (of Heat Initiative) break down what happened behind the scenes, why jury selection may be the most important phase of the entire trial, and how defense strategies are already taking shape.
You’ll hear legal context from veteran trial attorney Michael Quade, along with firsthand perspective from affected parents Toney and Brandy Roberts, who lost their 14-year-old daughter Englyn and are suing Meta, Snap, and TikTok for wrongful death and negligence.
This week was grounded not by legal maneuvering—but by the parents.
Survivor parents from around the world gathered in Los Angeles to witness the trial. Together, they held a vigil on the courthouse steps, honoring their children and demanding accountability. Nearly 20 media outlets showed up to hear their stories—not corporate talking points, but the human cost behind them.
This case isn’t just about evidence or arguments. It’s about children.
It’s about who controls the narrative.
And it’s about which side of history we choose to stand on.
We’re inside the courtroom—so parents everywhere don’t have to rely on headlines alone.
Subscribe to The Heat is On miniseries here.
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Week 2 inside the courtroom didn’t unfold the way anyone expected. Just as jury selection was set to continue, the judge announced a sudden pause—triggered by illness, followed by a denied request from Meta to delay the trial for 30 days. What does a delay really mean in a case like this? And who benefits when time is bought? In this episode of The Heat is On…Big Tech on Trial, hosts Nicki Petrossi (of Scrolling 2 Death) and Sarah Gardner (of Heat Initiative) break down what happened behind the scenes, why jury selection may be the most important phase of the entire trial, and how defense strategies are already taking shape. You’ll hear legal context from veteran trial attorney Michael Quade, along with firsthand perspective from affected parents Toney and Brandy Roberts, who lost their 14-year-old daughter Englyn and are suing Meta, Snap, and TikTok for wrongful death and negligence. This week was grounded not by legal maneuvering—but by the parents. Survivor parents from around the world gathered in Los Angeles to witness the trial. Together, they held a vigil on the courthouse steps, honoring their children and demanding accountability. Nearly 20 media outlets showed up to hear their stories—not corporate talking points, but the human cost behind them. This case isn’t just about evidence or arguments. It’s about children. It’s about who controls the narrative. And it’s about which side of history we choose to stand on. We’re inside the courtroom—so parents everywhere don’t have to rely on headlines alone. Subscribe to The Heat is On miniseries here.