A jury in Los Angeles has ruled against Meta and YouTube in a closely watched case over the addictive nature of social media platforms, awarding a young plaintiff millions in damages.
Jurors found that the companies failed to adequately warn users about the risks associated with prolonged use of their services, concluding that both platforms acted negligently.
Damages and liability
The 20-year-old plaintiff, identified in court documents only by her initials KGM, was awarded $3 million in compensatory damages. Meta was found responsible for 70% of that amount.
In addition, the jury imposed $3 million in punitive damages to be split between the companies in the same proportion.
Both Meta and Google, YouTube’s parent company, said they plan to appeal the decision. Google argued during the trial that YouTube should not be classified as a social media platform.
Claims of addictive design
The lawsuit centered on allegations that the platforms were deliberately designed to keep users engaged for extended periods, particularly through features such as infinite scrolling.
The plaintiff testified that she began using the platforms as a child and later developed depression and anxiety, which she linked to excessive use.
The case initially included claims against Snapchat and TikTok, but those companies reached settlements outside of court.
Potential broader impact
Legal experts say the verdict could have far-reaching implications, as hundreds of similar lawsuits are currently pending across the United States.
Just one day earlier, a jury in New Mexico ordered Meta to pay $375 million in a separate case involving allegations of inadequate protections for young users.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was also called to testify in person during the Los Angeles trial, underscoring the significance of the case.
