Meta and Google found liable in landmark social media addiction trial
Meta and Google Found Liable in Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial
A Los Angeles jury awarded a historic settlement to a young woman who sued Meta and Google over childhood social media dependency. The 20-year-old plaintiff, known as Kaley, claimed the platforms caused lasting mental health issues. The verdict, which holds Meta and Google accountable, could reshape hundreds of ongoing lawsuits in U.S. courts. Kaley was granted $3 million in compensation, with Meta bearing 70% of the responsibility and YouTube 30%, as per the jury’s decision.
Meta, which operates Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, along with Google, which controls YouTube, were found at fault for creating addictive environments. The companies’ design choices, such as infinite scroll, were argued to prioritize user engagement over well-being. Kaley’s legal team emphasized that these features were engineered to keep users hooked, especially young children.
Punitive Damages Still Pending
The jury also assigned partial blame for the plaintiff’s harm, though punitive damages are yet to be decided. Under state law, this could reach up to $30 million. The case followed a similar verdict in New Mexico, where a jury previously held Meta responsible for exposing children to explicit content and predators.
“We respectfully disagree with the verdict and are evaluating our legal options,” stated Meta in response.
During the trial, Meta’s defense highlighted that Kaley’s struggles were not solely caused by Instagram. Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, testified that the company’s policy restricted users under 13, but internal documents showed young children were already using the platforms. He admitted wishing for faster identification of underage users, calling the issue “a right place over time.”
Kaley’s lawyers argued the platforms functioned as “addiction machines,” failing to safeguard young users. She testified about her early engagement, starting Instagram at nine and YouTube at six, with no age barriers. “I stopped engaging with family because I was spending all my time on social media,” she said, describing how her mental health deteriorated. She was diagnosed with body dysmorphia years later, linked to obsessive use of filters that altered her appearance.
While Google was a defendant, the trial centered on Meta’s role. Snap and TikTok settled with Kaley beforehand, though the terms remained confidential. The legal team stressed that features like endless scrolling were designed to retain young users for extended periods. Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s head, dismissed 16-hour daily usage as “problematic,” but Kaley’s lawyers countered that such behavior indicated a deeper dependency.
Another case against Meta and other social platforms is set to begin in June in a California federal court, signaling a broader legal challenge against tech giants. Kaley’s attorneys called the verdict a “clear message that no company is above accountability when it comes to our children.”
