Meta, YouTube found liable in major social media addiction verdict

LOS ANGELES, Ca. (WTOC) - A Los Angeles jury has found Meta and YouTube liable in a landmark case linking their platforms to social media addiction, a decision that could have far-reaching effects on the tech industry.

The lawsuit involved a young woman who said prolonged use of Instagram and YouTube as a child led to serious mental health issues. Jurors ruled the companies were negligent, awarding $3 million and finding they failed to properly warn users about potential risks.

Attorneys argued the platforms were built to maximize engagement through features like autoplay and infinite scrolling, encouraging compulsive use among younger users. Meta disputes the outcome and plans to appeal, saying other factors contributed to the plaintiff’s condition.

The ruling follows another major setback for Meta in New Mexico, where a jury ordered the company to pay $375 million over claims it failed to protect minors from harmful content and online predators. Meta also plans to challenge that decision.

Together, the cases signal a shift in how courts view social media companies. Legal experts say lawsuits are moving beyond content concerns and targeting platform design and user safety, with thousands of similar cases already filed nationwide.

The Los Angeles trial is expected to help shape future litigation and could open the door to increased regulation and financial liability for tech companies.