Campaigners Applaud Verdict Against Meta and YouTube in Social Media Addiction Case

Campaigners and parents have welcomed a landmark US court ruling that found Meta Platforms and Google liable for harm caused by their social media platforms to a young user.

A Los Angeles jury awarded $6 million in damages to a 20-year-old woman, identified as Kaley, after concluding that platforms including Instagram, Facebook and YouTube were intentionally designed in ways that contributed to addictive use and negatively impacted her mental health.

The damages include both compensatory and punitive awards, with Meta expected to cover the majority of the payout. Jurors determined that the companies acted with “malice, oppression or fraud” in the way their platforms were structured and operated.

Both companies have rejected the verdict and confirmed plans to appeal. Meta argued that teenage mental health issues are complex and cannot be attributed to a single platform, while Google maintained that YouTube is a responsibly designed streaming service rather than a traditional social media platform.

The case has been hailed by advocacy groups as a turning point in efforts to hold tech companies accountable for the impact of their products on young users. Campaigners say the ruling could influence hundreds of similar lawsuits currently progressing through US courts.

The verdict comes amid growing global scrutiny of social media platforms. Governments in countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom are exploring stricter regulations, including potential age restrictions for users.

Industry analysts say the back-to-back legal setbacks for major tech firms signal a broader shift in public sentiment, with increasing demand for stronger safeguards to protect children online.

The case also highlighted concerns about platform features such as infinite scrolling and recommendation algorithms, which critics argue are designed to maximise user engagement but may contribute to compulsive use.

Observers say the outcome could have far-reaching implications for how social media platforms are designed, particularly in relation to younger audiences, as pressure mounts for reforms that prioritise user safety over growth.