Meta and Google found liable in landmark US child safety verdict

The case was brought by a 20 year old woman identified in court as Kaley, who said she became addicted to Instagram and YouTube as a child because of features designed to keep users engaged, including endless scrolling and other attention grabbing tools. Jurors found both companies negligent in the design of their apps and concluded they failed to adequately warn minors about the risks.
 

The ruling is considered a major test case for a much larger legal fight over whether social media companies should be held responsible for youth addiction and mental health harm. Because the lawsuit focused on product design rather than user generated content, it avoided some of the broad legal protections that usually shield tech platforms in the United States.


Meta and Google both said they disagree with the verdict and plan to appeal. Lawyers for the companies argued during the trial that they provide safety tools and that other factors, including the plaintiff’s personal circumstances, contributed to her mental health struggles.

The trial also drew attention because other major platforms had already exited the case. Snap and TikTok settled with the plaintiff before proceedings began, though the terms were not disclosed. Another large multi state case against social media companies is due to go to trial in federal court later this year, and a separate state trial involving Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat is scheduled in Los Angeles in July.

The verdict adds to growing legal and political pressure on major tech firms over child safety. It came just one day after a separate jury in New Mexico found Meta violated state law in a case involving child safety and exploitation risks on its platforms, showing how quickly courtroom pressure is building even as Congress has failed to pass broad nationwide social media legislation.