A California jury on Tuesday found Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, liable for contributing to the addiction and mental health harms of teenage users. The verdict in Los Angeles County Superior Court followed a similar ruling last week in Tennessee, where a jury held Google responsible for harms caused by its YouTube platform to young users. Both cases represent a significant escalation in legal challenges against social media companies, alleging they knowingly designed their platforms to be addictive and failed to adequately protect children.
The California case, Fields v. Meta Platforms, Inc., was brought by families alleging that Meta intentionally used addictive features to keep children hooked on its platforms, leading to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and other mental health issues. The plaintiffs presented evidence suggesting Meta was aware of the potential harms but prioritized user engagement and profit over safety. The jury awarded damages, the specific amount of which is still being determined, and found Meta negligent in its design and marketing practices.
Meta spokesperson Alex Miller stated the company is “disappointed” with the verdict and intends to appeal. “We believe these claims are without merit and that our platforms are safe for children when used responsibly with parental supervision,” Miller said in a prepared statement. Meta has consistently maintained that it offers tools and resources to support parents manage their children’s online experience.
The Tennessee case, Campbell v. Google LLC, centered on allegations that YouTube’s recommendation algorithms pushed harmful content to children, including videos promoting self-harm and eating disorders. The jury found Google liable for similar harms to young users, though the amount of damages awarded has not yet been finalized. Plaintiffs in the Tennessee case argued that YouTube’s algorithms were designed to maximize watch time, even if it meant exposing vulnerable children to dangerous material.
Arturo Béjar, a former Google engineer who worked on the company’s AI ethics team, testified in the Tennessee case about the challenges of mitigating harmful recommendations. Béjar described the difficulty of balancing user engagement with safety concerns, and the pressure to prioritize growth metrics. His testimony, reported by multiple outlets including the Recent York Times, provided insight into the internal debates within Google regarding the impact of its algorithms.
These verdicts come as lawmakers at both the state and federal levels are increasingly scrutinizing social media companies and considering legislation to protect children online. Several states have already enacted laws requiring parental consent for minors to access social media platforms, and Congress is debating a comprehensive bill, the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which would impose new obligations on platforms to protect young users. KOSA has faced criticism from civil liberties groups who argue it could lead to censorship and limit free speech.
The legal challenges and legislative efforts are fueled by growing public concern about the impact of social media on children’s mental health. A 2023 report by the Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, highlighted the significant risks social media poses to adolescents, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and body image issues. The report called for more research into the effects of social media and urged tech companies to take steps to protect young users.
Both Meta and Google face numerous other lawsuits alleging similar harms. The outcomes of these cases could have far-reaching implications for the social media industry, potentially leading to significant changes in platform design, content moderation practices, and legal liability. The Department of Justice has likewise initiated an antitrust investigation into Meta, alleging the company illegally monopolized the social networking market.
Following the California verdict, shares of Meta experienced a modest decline in after-hours trading. Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc., has not yet issued a formal response to the rulings beyond reiterating its commitment to user safety. A hearing to determine the specific damages in the California case is scheduled for next month.
