Meta and YouTube Lose Landmark Social Media Addiction Lawsuit

A Los Angeles jury just handed Meta and Google a major loss, ruling on Wednesday that both tech giants were negligent for not warning users about the mental health risks of their apps. This case is being hailed as a ‘Big Tobacco’ moment for social media, marking a massive shift in how these companies are held accountable for their designs.

The trial focused on a 20-year-old woman named Kaley, who claimed she became addicted to Instagram and YouTube as a child. She argued that features like auto-play and constant notifications led to severe depression and body dysmorphia. According to a report from CNBC, the jury agreed that the platforms’ negligence played a huge role in her struggles.

Now here is what big tech is being ordered to pay. The jury awarded $3 million US in compensatory damages, with Meta covering 70 per cent of the bill and YouTube picking up the rest. On top of that, the companies were ordered to pay another $3 million US in punitive damages. Kaley’s lawyers called the verdict a historic win for families who have been waiting for their day in court. That’s about $8.2 million CAD being paid out by Meta and YouTube.

Meta says it is looking at its legal options, while Google plans to appeal the decision. Google’s legal team even argued that YouTube shouldn’t be lumped in with social media, calling it a “responsibly built streaming platform” instead. During the trial, big names like Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram’s Adam Mosseri testified, trying to blame the plaintiff’s mental health on her personal life rather than their apps.

Now, this case is just the beginning. It serves as a test for many similar lawsuits across California. It also comes right after a New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million US in a separate case about child safety. With more federal trials involving school districts starting this summer, the legal pressure on these big tech companies is only heating up.