Jury finds Meta and Google negligent in landmark social media addiction trial


One day after Meta lost a similar child safety lawsuit in New Mexico, a Los Angeles jury on Wednesday handed the social media giant — along with Google — another defeat. In a case arguing that social media platforms played a major role in harming a young woman’s mental health, jurors have sided with the plaintiff, known by her initials, K.G.M., or her first name, Kaley.

The decision means Meta and Google will have to pay out $3 million in compensatory damages, with Meta bearing 70% of that cost. More damages may also be awarded as the jury continues to deliberate.

The landmark case, taking place in Los Angeles County Superior Court, aimed to hold the social media platforms accountable for the harms caused by Instagram and YouTube specifically, which Kaley, who’s now 20 years old, said contributed to her anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia, and other conditions during her youth. Lawyers for Meta tried to argue that other factors, like Kaley’s disruptive home life and her parents’ divorce, were more to blame for her mental health struggles, not its apps.

But evidence presented at the trial swayed the jury to the plaintiff’s side, demonstrating that Meta understood how addictive its platforms could be among teens in particular, and that it was actively researching the issue and using its findings to increase engagement among young users.

In the days before this particular case went to trial, both TikTok and Snap, which were also being sued, settled with the plaintiff.

The ruling — along with others, like Tuesday’s ruling in New Mexico — may establish a precedent that social media firms are responsible for the harms their platforms cause, whether through their lack of safety measures or their algorithmic recommendations. That could open the door to a new wave of lawsuits as other plaintiffs also attempt to sue for damages.

Neither verdict is likely to be the last word. Both Google and Meta are expected to appeal, and Meta has already signaled its intentions, with a spokesperson telling reporters the company disputes the outcome and is weighing its options.



Source link

  • Related Posts

    Razer’s new Blade 16 has Intel’s latest chips and ultra-fast RAM

    After leaning into some questionable AI antics at CES 2026, Razer is making some altogether more practical updates to its 16-inch laptop by giving it newer chips and faster RAM.…

    Roundtables: The Next Era of Space Exploration

    Listen to the session or watch below Whether it’s the race to find life on Mars, the campaign to outsmart killer asteroids, or the quest to make the moon a…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    Pilot Shares What It’s Like To Perform A Go-Around During Landing

    Pilot Shares What It’s Like To Perform A Go-Around During Landing

    Meta and YouTube found liable of negligence in social media addiction trial

    Meta and YouTube found liable of negligence in social media addiction trial

    Razer’s new Blade 16 has Intel’s latest chips and ultra-fast RAM

    Razer’s new Blade 16 has Intel’s latest chips and ultra-fast RAM

    Ahead of Nike’s Q3 Report, Wall Street Is Pondering 4 Big Concerns

    Ahead of Nike’s Q3 Report, Wall Street Is Pondering 4 Big Concerns

    Labour’s donations crackdown is a blow to Reform UK – and a highly political move | Party funding

    Labour’s donations crackdown is a blow to Reform UK – and a highly political move | Party funding

    Do Quebec parents care if daycare workers wear religious symbols? Not really, new poll says

    Do Quebec parents care if daycare workers wear religious symbols? Not really, new poll says