Meta and YouTube have been ordered to pay millions in damages to a 20-year-old woman. A California jury found that the platforms were designed to attract young users without considering their well-being. This case could impact thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies.
Legal Battle and Verdict
The plaintiff, identified as KGM, shared that her addiction to social media worsened her mental health. Jurors spent over 40 hours deliberating before awarding her $3 million in damages. They also recommended an additional $3 million in punitive damages, finding the companies acted with malice in harming children. However, the judge has the final say on the damages awarded.
This verdict is the second this week against Meta, following a New Mexico case that also found the company harmed children’s mental health in violation of state law. Both Meta, the parent of Instagram and Facebook, and Google-owned YouTube plan to explore legal options, including appeals.
Reaction from Experts and Companies
Peter Ormerod, a law professor at Villanova University, called the verdict significant but noted that substantial changes to social media platforms are not imminent. He suggested that further legal challenges might be needed before the platforms change their operations.
Meta and YouTube were found negligent in platform design or operation, significantly contributing to the plaintiff’s harm. Meta bore 70% of the responsibility, while YouTube held 30%. Punitive damages were divided accordingly: $2.1 million from Meta and $900,000 from YouTube.
User Experience and Mental Health
Kaley, as the plaintiff is known, began using social media platforms at a young age. The jurors heard from her and Meta leaders Zuckerberg and Adam Mosseri. Kaley testified that she spent significant time on social media during her childhood.
Lawyers argued that features like infinite feeds, autoplay, and notifications contributed to her addiction. Jurors were told to disregard the content due to legal protections for tech companies under the Communications Decency Act.
Platforms’ Defense and Future Cases
Meta argued that Kaley’s mental health issues were unrelated to social media. YouTube claimed it was more like television than social media. They also highlighted her reduced use of YouTube over time.
The outcome could influence future lawsuits. Sarah Kreps from Cornell University noted the case’s potential as a bellwether for others. With many similar lawsuits pending, the verdict could set a precedent.