Meta and YouTube Found Liable in Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial
A jury has found Meta and YouTube liable for negligence in designing addictive products that harmed a young user, marking a significant moment in the debate over social media’s impact on mental health. The verdict, reached on Wednesday, could set a legal precedent for similar cases against social media companies.
Plaintiff’s Allegations and Trial Details
The case centered around Kaley, identified in court filings as “KGM,” who alleged that her utilize of YouTube and Instagram from a young age led to addictive behavior and contributed to mental health problems, including depression, body dysmorphia, and suicidal thoughts. She testified that she became addicted to YouTube at age six and Instagram at nine, experiencing negative effects on her wellbeing. By age 10, she reported experiencing depression and self-harm, and was later diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder and social phobia at age 13, which she attributes to her social media use.
The six-week trial in Los Angeles Superior Court featured testimony from Meta and YouTube executives, whistleblowers, and experts on social media and addiction. Jurors deliberated for nine days, totaling over 40 hours, before reaching a verdict.
Jury’s Findings and Damages
The jury ruled that both Meta and YouTube were negligent in the design and operation of their platforms and failed to adequately warn users about potential adverse effects, particularly for minors. They likewise found that the companies acted with “malice, oppression or fraud.”
Compensatory damages were assessed at $3 million, with Meta responsible for 70% ($2.1 million) and YouTube for 30% ($900,000). Punitive damages totaled an additional $3 million, with Meta paying $2.1 million and YouTube $900,000.
Echoes of Tobacco Litigation
Plaintiffs’ attorneys drew parallels to lawsuits against the tobacco industry in the 1990s, arguing that social media companies knowingly designed products to be addictive, utilizing features like infinite scrolling and autoplay videos to maximize user engagement. They described these features as “Trojan horses” that appear beneficial but ultimately take over users’ lives.
Broader Legal Implications
This verdict is the first in a consolidated group of cases against Meta, TikTok, YouTube, and Snap, representing over 1,600 plaintiffs, including more than 350 families and 250 school districts. TikTok and Snap settled the KGM lawsuit before trial. The case is one of more than 20 “bellwether” trials scheduled over the next few years to gauge jury reactions and establish legal precedent. A separate series of federal lawsuits with hundreds of plaintiffs making similar allegations is slated to start trial in San Francisco in June.
Just one day prior to the verdict, Meta was ordered to pay $375 million in civil penalties in a separate lawsuit in New Mexico, where a jury found the company misled consumers about the safety of its platforms and enabled harm, including child sexual exploitation.
Company Responses
Meta has stated it respectfully disagrees with the verdict and will appeal. A spokesperson for YouTube did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Both companies have consistently denied wrongdoing. A YouTube spokesperson previously called the allegations “simply not true,” stating that providing a safe experience for young people is a priority. Meta previously argued that KGM’s mental health issues stemmed from a difficult home life, not social media use.