Meta and YouTube found liable in landmark social media addiction trial
Meta and YouTube Found Liable in Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial
A Los Angeles jury ruled in favor of a 20-year-old woman in a groundbreaking lawsuit against Meta and YouTube, awarding her $6 million in damages. The verdict, which held both companies accountable for fostering addictive social media environments, could set a precedent for future cases involving similar claims. The woman, referred to as Kaley, argued that the platforms harmed her mental health during childhood.
Companies Disagree with Verdict and Plan Appeals
Meta and Google separately announced their intent to challenge the decision. Meta stated that “teen mental health is profoundly complex” and that no single app could be solely blamed for its effects. The company emphasized that it would continue to defend its practices, noting that “every case is different” and that it “remains confident in its record of protecting teens online.” A Google spokesperson defended the platform, asserting that “YouTube is a responsibly built streaming service, not a social media site.”
“This case misunderstands YouTube,” the Google representative added.
The jury determined that Kaley deserved $3 million in compensatory damages and an extra $3 million in punitive compensation, citing “malice, oppression, or fraud” in the companies’ operations. Meta will bear 70% of the total, while Google covers the remaining 30%.
Parents Celebrate Verdict, Hug Supporters
Outside the courthouse, parents of other children—unrelated to Kaley’s case—gathered in anticipation of the ruling. Many had been waiting days for the outcome of the five-week trial. When the verdict was delivered, Amy Neville and others erupted in joy, exchanging hugs with fellow advocates and supporters.
Precedent Set by Earlier Verdicts
The LA ruling followed a New Mexico jury’s earlier decision that found Meta liable for exposing children to explicit content and predatory interactions through its platforms. Mike Proulx, a research director at Forrester, noted that these back-to-back rulings highlight a growing rift between social media giants and the public.
“Negative sentiment toward social media has been building for years, and now it’s finally boiled over,” Proulx said.
Recent legislative actions, such as Australia’s restrictions on children’s social media use, reflect this trend. The UK is also testing a ban on platforms for users under 16.
Meta’s Age Policy Under Scrutiny
During the trial, Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, referenced the company’s policy to limit users under 13 on its platforms. However, internal research and documents presented during the trial revealed that younger children, including those as young as six, were already accessing Meta’s services. Zuckerberg admitted he “always wished” for faster progress in identifying underage users but claimed Meta had “reached the right place over time.”
Kaley’s Testimony and Mental Health Impact
Kaley testified that she began using Instagram at age nine and YouTube at six, encountering no age barriers. She described how her focus on social media led her to disengage from family and develop anxiety and depression, later diagnosed by a therapist. The platform’s features, such as endless scrolling, were highlighted by her lawyers as tools designed to keep users hooked.
Her condition, body dysmorphia, was exacerbated by Instagram filters that altered her appearance. Kaley said she used these filters almost immediately after starting the app, altering her nose and eyes to match idealized images. Her legal team argued that Meta and YouTube had created “addiction machines” that failed to prioritize children’s well-being.
Settlements with Other Platforms
Although Snap and TikTok were initially named as defendants, they reached undisclosed agreements with Kaley before the trial. This allowed the focus to remain on Meta and YouTube, with the latter’s practices under intense examination.
