Meta Platforms and Alphabet’s Google have been found liable in a U.S. social media addiction trial.
A Los Angeles jury found the companies’ platforms intentionally addictive, potentially opening the door for hundreds of similar lawsuits against tech firms.
The jury awarded US$6 million in damages to the plaintiff, a 20-year-old woman who sued over childhood social media addiction. Meta was liable for US$4.2 million, and Google for US$1.8 million.
Both Meta and Google stated they disagree with the ruling and plan to appeal the decision. The plaintiff, identified as Kaley or KGM, testified to developing addiction as a minor, which worsened her mental health. She began using the platforms at age six and experienced depression and self-harm by age 10.
By age 13, Kaley was diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder and social phobia, which she attributed to Instagram and YouTube. Meta argued the plaintiff’s struggles stemmed from a turbulent home life, not social media, while YouTube compared its platform to television.
Jurors deliberated for 40 hours, finding both companies negligent in platform design and failing to warn users of risks. Meta was deemed 70% responsible and Google 30%.
TikTok and Snap, initially named, settled prior to the trial. Google spokesperson Jose Castañeda said the verdict misrepresents YouTube as “a responsibly built streaming platform, not a social media site.”
A Meta spokesperson stated that teen mental health is “profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app.” This verdict is the second against Meta this week. A New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay US$375 million for violating state law concerning children’s mental health and safety.
The trial represents the first in a consolidated group of cases in California involving over 1,600 plaintiffs against Meta, TikTok, YouTube, and Snap.
KGM’s case is also the first of more than 20 “bellwether” trials intended to gauge jury sentiment and set legal precedent. The next bellwether case is scheduled for July.
A separate series of federal lawsuits involving hundreds of plaintiffs is scheduled for trial in San Francisco in June.
