Los Angeles Jury Orders Meta and Google to Pay $6 Million to a Woman Addicted to Social Media as a Child

A jury in Los Angeles has decided that Meta and Google must pay $6 million to a young woman who became addicted to Instagram and YouTube as a child. It is the first decision of its kind against social media companies, and it may shape about 2,000 similar cases from parents and school districts in US courts.

The woman's lawyers did not blame the companies for what people post. They said the problem was how the apps are built. The apps make children stay for hours: you can scroll forever, and videos start playing by themselves. US law protects companies from what users write, but not from how their own products work.

The woman, called Kaley in court, is now 20. She said she started using YouTube at six and Instagram at nine, and spent all day on social media. She became anxious and depressed at ten. After talking for more than 40 hours, the jury found that both companies knew their apps could hurt children but did not warn them enough.

Both companies disagree with the decision and will appeal. Peter Ormerod, a law professor, called the decision important, but said it is only one step. Big changes are unlikely before the appeals end.

The day before, in a different child safety case, a jury in New Mexico ordered Meta to pay $375 million. More trials will follow later this year, and parents outside the court welcomed the decision. For them, it shows that social media companies can be held responsible for the harm they cause.