The Los Angeles court ordered the companies to pay $6 million in damages to a 20-year-old woman, who for privacy reasons is referred to by the initials KGM. The decision sets an important legal precedent for the responsibilities of social media companies towards young people.
from the age of six and from the age of nine. As she mentioned, the constant use of the platforms had serious effects on her mental health, leading her to depression already at the age of ten. According to her testimony, the use of social media negatively affected her family and school relationships, while at 13 she was diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder and social phobia.
After nearly nine days, nine days of deliberations and six weeks of hearings in Los Angeles Superior Court, it ruled that the two companies acted negligently. They did not provide adequate warnings about the potential dangers of their platforms. According to the decision, Meta is required to pay 70% of the damages, while the remaining amount will be covered by YouTube, NPR reported.
The jury’s verdict was clear, finding by a 10-2 vote that the companies’ negligence was a substantial factor in the plaintiff’s injury. It was also judged that the companies were aware of the risks of their product design. This decision is considered important as it paves the way for similar lawsuits in the future.
Meta and YouTube reacted immediately. They said they disagree with the decision and plan to appeal. The Meta spokesperson argued that adolescent mental health is a complex issue that cannot be attributed to a single app. For its part, YouTube emphasized that the case misrepresents the role of the platform, stressing that it is a content streaming service and not a social network.
The case is part of a larger series of lawsuits filed in California against major social media companies such as TikTok and Snap. The claimants are more than 1,600 people. More than 20 similar trials are expected over the next two years.
