A jury in Los Angeles has found Meta and Google negligent in a landmark case examining the impact of social media on mental health, marking a significant development in ongoing legal scrutiny of digital platforms.
The ruling, delivered in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, comes a day after Meta lost a similar child safety lawsuit in New Mexico, further intensifying pressure on the social media company.
According to a report by TechCrunch, jurors sided with the plaintiff, identified as K.G.M., also known as Kaley, in a case that argued platforms such as Instagram and YouTube played a substantial role in harming her mental health.
The decision requires Meta and Google to pay $3 million in compensatory damages, with Meta responsible for 70 per cent of the payout. Additional damages may be awarded as jury deliberations continue.
The case centred on claims that prolonged exposure to social media during her youth contributed to conditions including anxiety, depression and body dysmorphia. The plaintiff, now aged 20, argued that the platforms’ design and content recommendations had a direct impact on her mental wellbeing.
Legal representatives for Meta had argued that external factors, including family circumstances and her parents’ divorce, were more significant contributors to her mental health challenges than the company’s platforms.
However, evidence presented during the trial persuaded the jury that Meta was aware of the potentially addictive nature of its platforms, particularly among younger users, and had conducted internal research into these effects while continuing to optimise engagement.
In the lead-up to the trial, TikTok and Snap, which were also named in the lawsuit, reached settlements with the plaintiff.
The ruling, alongside a similar verdict delivered in New Mexico a day earlier, could set a precedent for holding social media companies accountable for harm caused by their platforms, including through insufficient safety measures and algorithm-driven content recommendations.
Such developments may pave the way for further litigation, as additional plaintiffs seek damages linked to the impact of social media use.
The verdict is not expected to be final, with both Meta and Google likely to appeal. Meta has already indicated it disputes the outcome and is considering its legal options, according to reports.
First Published on March 26, 2026, 14:50:53 IST