A jury in Los Angeles ruled on Wednesday that Meta and Google’s YouTube were negligent in failing to warn users about dangers linked to their platforms. The personal injury case initiated in late January involved a plaintiff, identified as K.G.M., who claimed she became addicted to Instagram and YouTube as a child. The jury determined that this negligence contributed to her mental health issues and awarded $3 million in compensatory damages, with Meta responsible for 70% and YouTube for 30%. Additionally, the companies were ordered to pay $3 million in punitive damages.
Following the verdict, representatives for the plaintiff expressed that it marked a historic moment for children and families confronting similar issues. Meta’s spokesperson stated the company respectfully disagrees with the verdict and is assessing legal options. Similarly, a Google representative indicated plans to appeal, arguing that the case reflects a misunderstanding of the YouTube platform.
This trial is part of a broader series of cases likened to the “Big Tobacco” moment for social media, drawing parallels to the 1990s when tobacco companies were held accountable for misleading public health claims. In a separate case in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Meta was found to have violated state unfair practices, resulting in a $375 million damage award, which the company also plans to appeal.
During the six-week trial in Los Angeles, jurors evaluated whether the design features of apps, such as recommendation algorithms and auto-play, significantly contributed to K.G.M.’s mental distress, which included severe body dysmorphia and depression. Defense attorneys for Meta and YouTube attributed her mental health challenges to a tumultuous childhood rather than their platforms, citing that she used the apps as a coping mechanism.
The court considered the plaintiff’s case to be a bellwether for ongoing litigation in California through Judicial Council Coordination Proceedings. Although TikTok and Snap were initially part of the case, they settled prior to trial but remain involved in other lawsuits.
A federal trial involving similar claims from school districts and parents is set to begin this summer in California. Plaintiffs allege that platforms from Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Snap contribute to mental health issues among young users, focusing on design flaws rather than specific content. Testimony during the trial included inputs from key executives, including Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg and YouTube’s vice president of engineering Cristos Goodrow.
Source: Reported based on publicly available information from www.cnbc.com.
