Meta and YouTube found liable in landmark social media addiction trial

Meta and YouTube Condemned in Groundbreaking Social Media Addiction Case

In a significant legal development, a Los Angeles jury ruled in favor of a young plaintiff who alleged that Meta and YouTube contributed to her social media dependency during childhood. The 20-year-old, referred to as Kaley, received a $3 million award, marking a pivotal moment for similar lawsuits pending in U.S. courts. The verdict attributed 70% of the harm to Meta, which operates Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, and 30% to YouTube, under Google’s ownership.

Kaley’s legal team argued that Meta and YouTube engineered their platforms to foster compulsive usage, neglecting their duty to safeguard young users. She testified about her early engagement with Instagram at age nine and YouTube at six, claiming no age-based restrictions were enforced. “I withdrew from family interactions because I prioritized social media,” Kaley said, highlighting the impact on her personal relationships.

“We respectfully disagree with the verdict and are evaluating our legal options,” Meta stated, as its attorneys emphasized that Kaley’s struggles were not directly caused by Instagram. They contended her personal experiences were influenced by broader life factors, not the platform’s design.

The trial, which lasted five weeks, also saw parents of other children gather outside the courthouse, expressing hope for accountability. A New Mexico jury had previously ruled against Meta for its role in exposing minors to explicit content and predators, reinforcing the growing public backlash against social media giants.

During the trial, Mark Zuckerberg defended Meta’s policy of restricting users under 13, asserting the company had “reached the right place over time.” However, internal documents revealed Meta’s awareness of younger users, prompting critics to question the effectiveness of its safeguards. Kaley’s lawyers cited features like infinite scroll as deliberate tools to prolong engagement, linking them to her prolonged use of the platform.

While the trial focused on Instagram and Meta, Google and other platforms like Snap and TikTok were initially involved. Both Snap and TikTok settled with Kaley before the proceedings, leaving Google’s potential liability pending. The case now sets a precedent, with punitive damages potentially reaching $30 million under state law.