Meta and Google Found Responsible in Landmark US Trial on Youth Addiction

LOS ANGELES, 25 March 2026 - A Los Angeles jury has ruled that Meta and Google are responsible for designing addictive social media platforms that harmed young users, awarding $6 million in damages. Meta was ordered to pay $4.2 million, while Google must pay $1.8 million.

The case centered on Kaley G.M., who said she became addicted to Instagram and YouTube as a child due to features like infinite scroll, which encourage prolonged use. Jurors agreed the companies failed to warn users about these risks.

Lawyers for the plaintiff hailed the verdict as a turning point, saying it signals that “accountability has arrived” for the tech industry. Meta and Google, however, plan to appeal.

Although the financial penalties are small compared to the companies’ massive revenues, analysts say the ruling could set a precedent for thousands of similar lawsuits pending in California courts. Snap and TikTok, also named in the case, settled earlier.

The trial highlighted internal documents and testimony from executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who defended decisions such as lifting bans on beauty filters despite concerns about their impact on teens.

This verdict adds to growing pressure on tech giants, as U.S. states and school districts prepare additional lawsuits over social media addiction. Lawmakers are also pushing for federal legislation to require platforms to prioritize children’s safety.

Source: The Star, Reuters