A Los Angeles court ruled on Wednesday that social media giants Meta and YouTube intentionally created “addictive products” that ultimately harmed a young woman. The jury determined that both companies failed to adequately warn users about the potential risks their platforms posed. As a result, Meta and YouTube have been ordered to pay a combined $6 million in damages.
The case centers around a 20-year-old female plaintiff, known as KGM, who sued various social media companies, including Meta, TikTok, YouTube, and Snap. KGM testified that her addiction to these platforms began at a young age, claiming she became hooked on YouTube at just six years old and on Instagram by nine. As her addiction deepened, KGM reported suffering from depression and self-harm starting at age 10, significantly impacting her relationships at home and school. By 13, a therapist diagnosed her with body dysmorphic disorder and social phobia, conditions she attributes to her excessive use of Instagram and YouTube.
KGM’s lawyer argued that Meta and YouTube employed features specifically designed to promote addiction, including infinite scrolling, algorithm-driven recommendations, and autoplay videos. “How do you make a child never put down the phone? That’s called the engineering of addiction,” the lawyer stated in court, drawing parallels between these social media features and products known for their addictive qualities, such as cigarettes and digital casinos.
After six weeks of hearing testimonies from executives, addiction specialists, and KGM herself, the jury ultimately reached a 10-2 verdict in her favor. They found both companies negligent in their design choices, which contributed significantly to the harm experienced by KGM. “A jury heard the evidence, and they held [Meta] and YouTube accountable for their conduct,” the plaintiff’s lawyer said post-verdict.
This case is notable for being the first to go to trial among over 1,600 lawsuits filed against social media platforms regarding their alleged impact on young users. TikTok and Snap reached settlements before the trial commenced.
In response to the ruling, both Meta and YouTube expressed their disagreement and announced plans to appeal. Meta emphasized that teen mental health is a complex issue and should not be simplistically linked to a single app. YouTube defended its platform by stating that the allegations were untrue, asserting its identity as a responsibly built streaming site rather than a conventional social media platform.
The verdict arrives amid increasing global concern about social media addiction among minors, prompting some countries to impose restrictions. Australia has become the first nation to ban social media for users under 16 due to health and safety concerns, with several European nations considering similar legislation. In India, the Karnataka government recently proposed a ban on social media for children under 16, becoming the first state to take decisive action in this regard. Andhra Pradesh has also expressed intentions to restrict social media use for those under 13.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw indicated last month that discussions are underway with social media platforms regarding an overarching age-based ban for children, further highlighting the urgency of this issue. As the dialogue around the implications of social media continues to evolve, this landmark case serves as a pivotal moment in addressing the responsibilities of tech companies towards their younger users.
Original Source: https://www.business-standard.com/technology/tech-news/meta-youtube-negligent-addictive-social-media-teens-verdict-kgm-ban-126032600193_1.html
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Publish Date: 2026-03-26 10:06:00
