Jurors find Meta and YouTube negligent in landmark social media addiction trial

A day after Meta lost a similar child safety lawsuit in New Mexico, a Los Angeles jury on Wednesday handed the social media giant — along with YouTube — another defeat. In a case alleging that social media platforms played a major role in harming a young woman’s mental health, jurors sided with the plaintiff, known by her initials, KGM, or her first name, Callie.

The decision means that Meta and YouTube will have to pay $3 million in damages, with Meta bearing 70% of that cost. More damages could also be awarded as the jury continues to deliberate.

The landmark case, taking place in Los Angeles County Superior Court, aims to hold social media platforms accountable for their addictive products, which Kaley, now 20, said contributed to her anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia, and other conditions during her youth. Meta’s lawyers tried to argue that other factors, such as Kelly’s troubled home life and her parents’ divorce, were largely to blame for her mental health struggles, not her apps.

But the evidence presented at trial swayed the jury to the plaintiff’s side, showing that Meta recognized the extent of addiction to its platforms among teens in particular, and was actively researching those areas and using its findings to increase engagement among this young demographic.

Before this case went to trial, TikTok and Snap reached a settlement with the plaintiff.

The new decision — along with others, like yesterday’s ruling in New Mexico — will set a precedent that social media companies are liable for harms caused by their platforms, whether due to their lack of safety measures or their algorithmic recommendations. This could open the doors to a new wave of lawsuits as other plaintiffs also try to sue for damages.