Meta and YouTube Found Liable in Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial
A Los Angeles jury has found Meta and YouTube liable for creating products that led to harmful and addictive behavior in young users, marking a potentially precedent-setting decision in ongoing litigation against social media companies. The verdict, reached on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, could pave the way for similar cases and reshape the legal landscape for social media platforms.
Jury Awards Damages to Plaintiff
The jury awarded $3 million in damages to Kaley, the lead plaintiff in the case, who alleged that her utilize of YouTube and Instagram from a young age contributed to addictive behavior and mental health problems, including depression, body dysmorphia, and suicidal thoughts [CBS News]. Kaley, identified in court filings as “KGM,” described spending all day on social media and experiencing an emotional “rush” from likes and notifications [NBC Los Angeles].
Lengthy Deliberations and Partial Unanimity
Jurors deliberated for over 40 hours across nine days before reaching a decision, initially struggling to reach a consensus on both defendants [CBS News]. While the decision wasn’t unanimous, a majority voted to hold both companies liable.
Key Arguments and Testimony
The case, filed in 2023, centered on allegations that Meta and YouTube negligently designed their platforms to be addictive, particularly for young users. Lawyers representing Kaley argued that features like infinite scrolling, autoplay, and notifications were intentionally designed to “hook” users [NBC Los Angeles]. Testimony was heard from addiction experts, therapists, platform engineers, and executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri [NBC Los Angeles].
Defendants’ Responses
Meta argued that Kaley’s mental health struggles were separate from her social media use and that her therapists had not identified social media as a primary cause [CBS News]. YouTube maintained that its platform is a video-sharing service, similar to television, and highlighted Kaley’s declining usage of YouTube Shorts as she grew older [Business Insider].
Settlements and Bellwether Trial
TikTok and Snap, initially named as defendants, settled before the trial began [CBS News]. This case was selected as a “bellwether” trial, meaning its outcome could influence the resolution of thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies.
Potential for Punitive Damages and Future Litigation
The jury found that Meta and YouTube acted with malice, which opens the door for a second phase of the trial to determine punitive damages [CBS News]. The outcome of this case is being closely watched as a potential turning point in the legal scrutiny of social media platforms and their impact on young people’s mental health.
Recent Meta Legal Issues
This verdict follows a recent ruling in New Mexico where Meta was ordered to pay $375 million in a case concerning sexual exploitation on its platforms [Business Insider]. Meta has stated it will appeal that decision.