A Los Angeles jury ruled that Alphabet’s Google and Meta are liable for $3 million in damages in a landmark social media addiction lawsuit. This verdict could impact thousands of similar cases against tech companies brought by parents, attorneys general, and school districts.
The case involved a 20-year-old woman who claimed she became addicted to apps due to their attention-grabbing design. The plaintiffs focused on platform design rather than content, making it difficult for the companies to avoid liability.
Snap and TikTok were also defendants in the trial but settled with the plaintiff before the trial began. Shares of Meta Platforms rose one percent, while Alphabet’s stock slightly increased after the verdict. A Meta spokesperson said they respectfully disagree with the ruling and are evaluating their legal options. Google had no immediate comment.
Criticism over child and teen safety on social media has been mounting in recent years, leading to debates in courts and state legislatures. The US Congress has not passed comprehensive legislation regulating social media.
At least 20 states enacted laws last year regarding social media usage and children, including bills that regulate cellphone use in schools and require users to verify their ages to open a social media account. NetChoice, backed by tech companies like Meta and Google, is seeking to invalidate age verification requirements in court. Another social media addiction case against technology companies is expected to go to trial this summer in Oakland, California, while another state trial for Los Angeles is scheduled for July.