In a landmark verdict, a California jury has ruled that Meta and Google are responsible for creating platforms that can make young users addicted. The jury delivered the major verdict against Big Tech while holding Meta and Google responsible for designing such platforms.

The case was heard in Los Angeles Superior Court, where the jury discussed the matter for over 40 hours before giving its verdict. The court awarded a total of $6 million to the plaintiff, $3 million as compensation and $3 million as punitive damages. Meta will pay 70 per cent of the amount ($4.2 million) while Google will cover the remaining 30% ($1.8 million).

About the case

A 20-year-old woman, identified as Kaley (KGM),had filed a case in this regard. She maintained that she started using Instagram and YouTube when she was six and gradually became heavily dependent on them. According to her testimony, this led to serious mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, body image problems and even suicidal thoughts. She also said she felt uneasy without her phone and was constantly worried about likes and notifications. By the age of 10, she had already uploaded more than 300 videos on YouTube.

The jury maintained that both companies failed to warn users about the risks linked to features like auto-play, endless scrolling and algorithms designed to keep users engaged for longer periods.

During the trial, Mark Zuckerberg and Adam Mosseri appeared in court. Mosseri argued that the term “social media addiction” is not accurate and preferred calling it “problematic usage.” A Google representative said that YouTube is mainly a video streaming platform, not a social media service.

The case also included TikTok and Snapchat, but both companies settled before the trial began.

Meta has said it will challenge the decision. The company stated that it does not agree with the verdict and plans to appeal, adding that teen mental health is a complex issue.

Legal experts believe this ruling could have a wider impact. It may weaken protections under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which usually shields online platforms from being held responsible for user content. The verdict could also lead to stricter rules for tech companies, especially regarding child safety and mental health.

- With inputs from agencies