A Los Angeles jury has ruled against Meta and Google in a case that alleged their platforms were responsible for contributing to social media addiction and harm to a young user. The lawsuit, filed by a 20-year-old woman, claimed that her mental health suffered due to prolonged exposure to platforms like Instagram and YouTube during her childhood. The jury determined that the companies intentionally designed features that fostered addictive behavior.
The jury awarded a total of $6 million in damages, comprising compensatory and punitive amounts, after finding that the companies had acted with “malice, oppression, or fraud.” Meta was held accountable for 70 percent of the liability, while Google bore the remaining share.
Both Meta and Google have expressed disagreement with the jury’s decision and have indicated their intent to appeal the ruling. The plaintiff testified that she began using YouTube at age 6 and Instagram at age 9, with no age restrictions in place. She detailed spending prolonged periods on the platforms and subsequently grappling with anxiety, depression, and body image concerns, leading to a diagnosis of body dysmorphia by a therapist.
The plaintiff’s legal team argued that design elements such as continuous scrolling and algorithm-driven content encouraged compulsive usage. They also presented the testimony of experts and former Meta executives who highlighted the strategic focus on attracting younger users for platform growth.
The outcome of this case is anticipated to have an impact on similar ongoing cases across U.S. courts. This decision follows a previous ruling in New Mexico where Meta was found liable for endangering children on its platforms.
Campaigners and parents’ groups have welcomed the verdict, viewing it as a potential pivotal moment in holding tech companies accountable. Some advocates believe the ruling could lead to heightened calls for stricter regulations on social media usage by minors.
Various governments worldwide are already exploring new regulations. Australia has implemented restrictions to limit children’s social media usage, while the UK is considering proposals to restrict access for users under 16. Indonesia also intends to adopt social media age restrictions following Australia’s lead.