In a landmark decision, a Los Angeles jury has found Meta and YouTube liable for negligently designing their platforms in ways that contributed to a young woman’s social media addiction and subsequent mental health issues. The verdict marks a significant moment in the ongoing scrutiny of social media companies and their impact on users, particularly minors.
The plaintiff, identified as K.G.M., testified that she began using YouTube at the age of six and Instagram at nine. She described how her engagement with these platforms led to excessive use, resulting in depression, body dysmorphia, and suicidal thoughts. The jury awarded her $6 million in damages, with Meta responsible for 70% and YouTube for the remaining 30%. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/mar/25/jury-verdict-us-first-social-media-addiction-trial-meta-youtube?utm_source=openai))
During the six-week trial, evidence was presented suggesting that both companies intentionally designed features to maximize user engagement. These included infinite scrolling and autoplay functions, which critics argue are engineered to foster addictive behaviors among users. ([techradar.com](https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/the-engineering-of-addiction-explained-3-ways-meta-and-youtube-have-harmed-young-users-according-to-the-landmark-case?utm_source=openai))
Meta and YouTube have both expressed their intent to appeal the verdict. A Meta spokesperson stated, “Teen mental health is profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app.” Similarly, YouTube’s representative emphasized that the platform is “a responsibly built streaming platform, not a social media site.” ([aljazeera.com](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/26/jury-finds-meta-youtube-liable-for-social-media-addiction-what-we-know?utm_source=openai))
This case is part of a broader wave of litigation targeting social media companies over their products’ effects on young users. Legal experts suggest that this verdict could set a precedent for future cases, potentially leading to increased regulation and accountability within the tech industry. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/03/25/meta-youtube-verdict-social-media-addiction/?utm_source=openai))
In a related development, Meta was recently ordered to pay $375 million in a separate case in New Mexico, where the company was found to have misled consumers about the safety of its platforms, enabling harm, including child exploitation. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/mar/25/jury-verdict-us-first-social-media-addiction-trial-meta-youtube?utm_source=openai))
These consecutive verdicts signal a growing legal challenge to social media companies, as courts begin to hold them accountable for the design and operation of their platforms and the resulting impact on users’ mental health.