She Started Social Media at 8—Now a $6M Jury Ruling Says Apps Are to Blame! What Happened?

A Los Angeles jury has delivered a significant verdict against tech giants Meta and Google’s YouTube, ruling that both companies were negligent in a case involving a now 20-year-old woman identified as K.G.M., or Kaley. The jury concluded that Kaley's childhood exposure to YouTube and other social media platforms led to her development of anxiety and depression, effectively holding the companies accountable for the addictive nature of their products.

Kaley's legal team accused Meta and YouTube of designing their platforms with addictive features akin to those found in cigarettes and gambling, such as infinite scrolling and autoplay. They argued that the companies failed to appropriately warn users about the potential dangers associated with prolonged use of their applications. This case, which culminated on March 25, resulted in a jury ordering Meta to pay $4.2 million in combined compensatory and punitive damages, while YouTube is liable for $1.8 million.

“Today’s verdict is a historic moment — for Kaley and for the thousands of children and families who have been waiting for this day,” stated the attorneys representing the plaintiff. They emphasized that a jury of Kaley’s peers listened to the evidence and held these corporations accountable for their actions.

Both companies have expressed their intention to appeal the ruling. In a statement, a Meta spokesperson indicated their disagreement with the verdict, asserting that the mental health of teenagers is “profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app.” Meanwhile, Google contended that the case misunderstood YouTube, characterizing it as a responsibly built streaming platform rather than a social media site.

This case is being labeled a bellwether, as it is one of three trials selected by a California judge to proceed among thousands of similar social media personal injury lawsuits across the state. The outcome of this initial case could influence verdicts and settlements in the other cases, and it has the potential to shape future litigation related to social media and mental health.

Upcoming trials, including one scheduled to begin later this year in Northern California, will further investigate claims of health-related harm to young users stemming from various apps, including those from Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Snap (the maker of Snapchat).

On the eve of the Los Angeles verdict, another trial in New Mexico resulted in Meta being ordered to pay $375 million in damages after jurors found that the company failed to adequately protect young users from predators on Instagram and Facebook. Additionally, Meta may face further penalties if a judge determines they created a public nuisance.

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez noted the significance of the verdicts, saying, “Juries in both trials have recognized that Meta's public deception and design features are putting children in harm's way.”

These recent rulings come at a time when schools and state lawmakers are considering measures to limit smartphone use among children and teens. While such bans might help curb social media engagement, they do not comprehensively address the broader concerns surrounding potential mental health issues linked to these platforms.

Kaley began using YouTube at the age of six and had an Instagram account by the time she was eleven. Her attorneys claimed that each app contributed significantly to her struggles with anxiety and depression, exacerbated by low self-esteem and body dysmorphia. In court, her mother testified that she only became aware of the dangers associated with social media after watching a 60 Minutes program. She expressed regret, stating that had she known about the risks earlier, she “would have never given K.G.M. a phone and things would be different.”

Law professors, like Benjamin Zipursky from Fordham University, emphasize that the plaintiffs are not just seeking compensation for their clients but are also aiming for broader change within the industry. “They aim to get a series of victories in this sampling of so-called bellwether trials,” he noted, suggesting that the ultimate goal is to pressure these companies into agreeing to mass settlements, which could total billions of dollars, alongside making substantial changes to their practices.

The implications of this case extend beyond just financial penalties for Meta and YouTube; they reflect a growing recognition of the potential harms associated with social media use among children and teenagers. As society grapples with the intersection of technology, mental health, and child welfare, these legal battles may serve as catalysts for more responsible corporate practices and policies aimed at protecting vulnerable users.