In a landmark ruling on March 25, 2026, a jury in Los Angeles found Meta and YouTube liable for negligence in a social media addiction trial, awarding $6 million to the plaintiff, identified as Kaley. This verdict marks a significant moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding the impact of social media on mental health, particularly among youth.
The jury’s decision came after over a month of testimony, which included insights from addiction experts and high-profile executives, including Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The jury deliberated for 44 hours before reaching their conclusion, which determined that Meta was responsible for 70% of the damages, while YouTube accounted for the remaining 30%.
Kaley, who began using social media at the age of six, reported experiencing severe depression and anxiety attributed to her online experiences. The trial has been described as a bellwether, potentially influencing thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies that have emerged in recent years.
Notably, TikTok and Snap were also named as defendants in the case but settled before the trial commenced, leaving Meta and YouTube to face the jury alone. The outcome of this trial could set a precedent for future cases as society grapples with the implications of social media on mental health.
In response to the verdict, a spokesperson for Google, which owns YouTube, stated, “We disagree with the verdict and plan to appeal. This case misunderstands YouTube, which is a responsibly built streaming platform, not a social media site.” Similarly, a Meta spokesperson emphasized, “Teen mental health is profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app. We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously as every case is different, and we remain confident in our record of protecting teens online.”
Joseph VanZandt, co-lead lawyer for the plaintiff, remarked, “For years, social media companies have profited from targeting children while concealing their addictive and dangerous design features. Today’s verdict is a referendum — from a jury, to an entire industry — that accountability has arrived.”
Juror Victoria added, “We wanted them to feel it. We wanted them to realize this was unacceptable.” This sentiment reflects a growing public concern regarding the responsibilities of tech companies in safeguarding the mental health of their younger users.
The trial’s outcome is likely to resonate beyond the courtroom, as it underscores a larger trend of lawsuits aimed at social media companies regarding their impact on youth mental health. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the implications of this verdict will be closely monitored by advocates, lawmakers, and tech companies alike.
As Meta and YouTube prepare to appeal the verdict, the conversation surrounding social media addiction and its consequences remains at the forefront of public discourse, with many awaiting further developments in this pivotal case.
