LOS ANGELES, March 25 - A federal jury in Los Angeles found Meta and Google’s parent company Alphabet liable in a landmark social media addiction trial, awarding $3 million in damages. The verdict centers on claims that YouTube and Instagram’s design features led to compulsive use by a 20-year-old woman who began using the platforms as a child.
The case focused on algorithmic design rather than content-arguing that engagement-driven interfaces contributed to psychological dependency. This strategic approach may strengthen thousands of similar lawsuits filed by school districts, states, and families nationwide.
Snap and TikTok were originally named but settled before trial. Terms remain confidential.
Meta said it disagrees with the outcome and is reviewing legal options. Google declined to comment immediately after the verdict. Both companies’ stocks saw minimal market movement.
The ruling comes amid growing regulatory pressure. At least 20 states passed laws last year restricting minors’ access to social media, including age verification mandates. Tech trade group NetChoice, backed by Meta and Google, is challenging those rules in court.
A broader federal trial involving multiple states is set for summer in Oakland, California. Another state-level case will begin in Los Angeles in July, targeting Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat.
In a separate development, a New Mexico jury found Meta violated state law by misleading users about safety risks on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, and enabling child sexual exploitation.