- A Los Angeles jury found Meta Platforms and YouTube liable for designing addictive platforms that harmed a young user.
- The jury ruled both companies were negligent and failed to warn users, awarding $6 million in damages (70% to be paid by Meta, 30% by YouTube).
- The case is the first of its kind to go to trial, potentially setting a precedent for thousands of similar lawsuits in the U.S.
- The plaintiff, KGM, testified early exposure led to depression, self-harm, and mental health disorders, which she attributes to prolonged social media use.
- Lawyers argued platforms were "engineered for addiction" through features like autoplay and infinite scroll, while Meta plans to appeal the ruling.
A Los Angeles jury has found Meta Platforms and YouTube liable for designing addictive products that harmed a young user, marking a historic moment in legal challenges against social media companies.
The verdict, delivered after nearly nine days of deliberation, concluded that both companies were negligent and failed to adequately warn users about the potential dangers of their platforms. Jurors awarded the plaintiff, identified in court as KGM, $6 million in damages, with Meta ordered to pay 70% and YouTube responsible for the remaining 30%.
The case, heard in Los Angeles Superior Court over six weeks, is the first of its kind to go to trial over claims that social media platforms are intentionally engineered to be addictive and harmful, particularly to young users. Legal experts say the ruling could set a precedent for thousands of similar lawsuits currently being pursued across the United States.
KGM, now 20, testified that her exposure to YouTube began at age six, followed by Instagram at age nine. She told the court that prolonged use of these platforms had serious consequences for her mental health. By age 10, she said she was experiencing depression and engaging in self-harm. Her struggles continued into adolescence, including strained relationships at home and school.
At 13, KGM was diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder and social phobia—conditions she attributes to her social media use. Her legal team argued that features such as autoplay videos and infinite scrolling feeds were intentionally designed to maximize user engagement at the expense of wellbeing.
"Engineered addiction" at the center of the case
During closing arguments, KGM’s attorney, Mark Lanier, accused the companies of deliberately creating products that exploit psychological vulnerabilities in children. "How do you make a child never put down the phone? That’s called the engineering of addiction," he told jurors. He likened social media platforms to "Trojan horses," appearing harmless while causing hidden harm.
Jurors were tasked with determining whether the companies' actions were a substantial factor in causing harm and whether they were aware of potential risks tied to their product designs. The 12-member panel reached a 10–2 decision in favor of the plaintiff on all counts.
Attorneys for KGM described the outcome as a "historic moment" not only for their client but also for other families who have raised concerns about the impact of social media on children. They argued the case mirrors past litigation against tobacco companies, which were accused of concealing the addictive nature of cigarettes.
The ruling comes amid increasing scrutiny of major tech firms and their influence on younger audiences. It also follows another recent legal setback for Meta, which was ordered to pay $375 million in a separate case involving allegations of misleading users about platform safety.
Meta has said it plans to appeal both decisions, maintaining that it has taken significant steps to protect teenagers online. YouTube has not publicly detailed its response to the verdict.
This landmark verdict against Meta Platforms and YouTube, as BrightU.AI's Enoch noted, is a significant step towards holding social media companies accountable for the harm they inflict on young users.
Watch this Euronews report about Meta being added to Russia's official list of terrorist organizations.
This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.
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