Meta Platforms and Google Face $3 Mn Verdict in Teen Mental Health Case
The jury awarded $3 million in compensatory damages to the plaintiff, identified as Kaley, with Meta ordered to pay 70% of the amount.
A Los Angeles jury has ruled against Meta Platforms and Google in a case linking social media use to mental health harm, marking a second legal setback for Meta in as many days.
The jury awarded $3 million in compensatory damages to the plaintiff, identified as Kaley, with Meta ordered to pay 70% of the amount. Additional damages could follow as deliberations continue.
Earlier this week, a U.S. jury found Meta Platforms violated New Mexico law by misleading consumers about platform safety and failing to adequately protect children from exploitation, marking a major legal setback for the social media giant.
The case, heard in Los Angeles County Superior Court, centered on claims that Instagram and YouTube contributed to Kaley’s anxiety, depression and body image issues during her teenage years. Lawyers for Meta argued that external factors, including family issues, played a larger role in her condition.
However, jurors sided with the plaintiff after reviewing internal company documents and testimony suggesting Meta was aware of the addictive nature of its platforms, particularly among younger users, and continued to optimize engagement.
Other defendants, including TikTok and Snap, had settled with the plaintiff prior to trial.
The ruling, along with a recent verdict in New Mexico, could set a precedent holding social media companies accountable for harms linked to their platforms and algorithms. Both Meta and Google are expected to appeal the decision.
