Los Angeles Jury Finds Google and Meta Liable for Social Media Addiction Linked to Platform Design

A Los Angeles jury has held tech giants Google and Meta responsible in a landmark case concerning social media addiction. The case focused on a 20-year-old woman who claimed she became addicted to YouTube and Instagram from a young age due to features intentionally designed to keep users engaged. The jury ruled that both companies were negligent in their product designs and failed to warn users about potential harm, awarding US$3 million (A$4.3 million) in damages. Meta is responsible for 70% of the payout, with Google covering the remaining 30%. Decisions on possible punitive damages are still pending. This verdict represents a significant legal precedent, testing whether the design of social media platforms — not just the content shared — can make companies legally liable. Both Meta and Google plan to appeal, signalling that the case is far from over. Snap and TikTok, also involved, reached private settlements before the trial. The ruling comes amid increasing scrutiny of how major tech companies impact child and teen safety, with US states introducing laws targeting youth usage and platform accountability. Further legal battles are already underway, including upcoming federal and state trials involving multiple social media platforms.