Mar 26, 2026 - A Los Angeles jury found Meta and Google liable Wednesday for designing social media platforms that harmed children through addictive features and failure to warn users of the risks.
The jury determined that Meta's Instagram and Google's YouTube were negligently designed in ways that contributed to mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, in young users. In the bellwether case, the jury awarded the plaintiff $3 million in compensatory damages, with Meta responsible for 70% and Google for 30%. The jury later added $3 million in punitive damages, bringing the total judgment to $6 million.
The trial centered on claims that the companies engineered their apps with features such as infinite scrolling, notifications and algorithmic recommendations to maximize user engagement, particularly among minors. Evidence presented included internal company documents and testimony from addiction experts and former employees. The plaintiff, identified in court records as a young woman from Chico, California, alleged that compulsive use of the platforms as a child led to significant emotional distress.
The verdict marks the first jury decision in a wave of lawsuits alleging social media harm to minors. Thousands of similar cases are pending in state and federal courts across the country. Snap and TikTok, also named as defendants in the trial, reached settlements with the plaintiff prior to the proceedings. Terms of those agreements were not disclosed.
Meta and Google have maintained that their platforms include tools for parental controls and age-appropriate safeguards. Both companies said they plan to appeal the verdict. The case is one of several bellwether trials expected to influence broader litigation involving allegations of platform addiction and inadequate protection for young users.
Public health officials and advocacy groups have raised concerns about the effects of social media on youth mental health in recent years. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other organizations have called for greater oversight of platform design and content moderation practices affecting children.
As of Thursday, the companies had not issued detailed statements on next steps in the litigation. Additional trials in related cases are scheduled in coming months, and the verdict is expected to shape ongoing legal strategies for both plaintiffs and defendants in social media harm lawsuits.
