Jury finds Meta, YouTube negligent in social media addiction trial and feeding into self harm and addictive behavior of young users, awarding KGM aka Kaley $3M in damages in historic landmark decision paving way for similar cases.
A Los Angeles jury on Wednesday found that Meta and YouTube are liable for creating products leading to harmful and addictive behavior by young users. The landmark decision could set a legal precedent for similar allegations brought against social media companies.
The jury voted to award $3 million in damages to the lead plaintiff in the case, a woman named Kaley — identified in court filings by her initials “KGM” — who alleged that using YouTube and Instagram from a young age led to addictive use of the platforms and contributed to her mental health problems, including depression, body dysmorphia and suicidal thoughts.
Tech companies knew or ought to have known of inherent dangers of social media to children
Kaley, now 20, brought the case against Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, and Google-owned YouTube in 2023. TikTok and Snapchat parent Snap were named in the original complaint, but settled before the trial began in late January.
During her testimony, Kaley described spending all day on social media and getting an emotional ‘rush’ from likes and notifications, keeping her glued to her phone.
Kaley’s attorney, Mark Lanier of Lanier Law Firm had argued through the 9 day trial that Meta and YouTube were aware that their social media products harmed children, but continued to prioritize profits over safety.
‘I don’t naysay the opportunity to make money, but when you’re making money off of kids, you have to do it responsibly,’ he said.
‘We respectfully disagree with the verdict and are evaluating our legal options,’ a Meta spokesperson told CBS News, noting that jurors were not unanimous in issuing the decision.
Meta and YouTube found culpable in design of platforms and failure to warn users
Meta and YouTube faced two main allegations: negligence in the design or operation of their platforms and failure to warn users of the potential health risks from using the platforms.
The companies were ordered to pay a total of $3 million in damages — 70% by Meta and 30% by YouTube . Jurors also determined that punitive damages, penalties levied for malicious misconduct by the defendant, often decided after further jury deliberations following the announcement of a verdict, should be considered.
Social media companies have long deflected such accusations by taking legal refuge behind Section 230, a clause in the 1996 Communications Decency Act that protects internet companies from liability for third-party content posted on their platforms.
This case, however, centered around how the apps are designed, not the content itself and whether Meta and YouTube designed their products to be addictive and keep young users hooked and ultimately responsible for mental health woes, anxiety that prolonged use of the platforms created.
Meta and YouTube deny use of products led to girl’s mental health woes
During the Los Angeles trial, Meta and YouTube denied that Kaley’s use of social media led to her mental health issues. The companies also argued that her family history, difficulties at home and school and learning disabilities played a more significant role in her psychological and emotional struggles.
Several mental health specialists who treated Kaley testified during the trial, including Victoria Burke, a former therapist who worked with the plaintiff in 2019. During her testimony, Burke said that social media and Kaley’s sense of self ‘were closely related,’ adding that activity on the platforms could ‘make or break her mood.’
Kaley claimed she started using Instagram at age 9 and YouTube at 6, this despite alleged safety age features that the products claim to provide.
During her testimony, Kaley said she did not experience the negative feelings associated with her body dysmorphia diagnosis before she began using social media and filters.
Attorneys representing the technology companies also argued that Kaley turned to their platforms as a coping mechanism or a means of escaping her mental health struggles.
Legal experts said the jury’s decision could have implications for thousands of other lawsuits alleging harm by social media companies.
‘For years, social media companies have profited from targeting children while concealing their addictive and dangerous design features. Today’s verdict is a referendum — from a jury, to an entire industry — that accountability has arrived,’ lawyers for the plaintiff announced following the historic win.
On Tuesday, in another first-of-its-kind case, a New Mexico jury found Meta violated state child exploitation laws and ordered the company to pay $375 million in civil penalties. The decision came after just a day of deliberations.
New Mexico is the first state to win a case against a major tech company for harming young people.
Meta stated that they plan to appeal the decision.
