Jury finds Meta and YouTube liable in landmark social media addiction trial

A Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube liable for designing addictive platforms targeting children and failing to warn users of the risks, awarding the plaintiff $6 million in damages. The verdict marks a rare courtroom victory against major social media companies in addiction litigation, a category of lawsuits that has largely been unsuccessful against tech giants. Both Meta and Google announced plans to appeal the decision, signaling lengthy legal battles ahead. The case highlights mounting pressure on social platforms over their role in youth mental health, including concerns about compulsive use and psychological harm. If the verdict withstands appeal, it could expose the companies to thousands of similar claims and potentially reshape how they design features for younger users.