Can a social media app really shape a child’s mental health?
A jury in Los Angeles has delivered a verdict that suggests it can—and the decision could ripple across the tech world.
In a landmark case, jurors ruled that Meta and Google deliberately designed their platforms to be addictive.
Harming a young woman identified as Kaley.
The 20-year-old was awarded $6 million in damages, with Meta responsible for 70% and Google for the rest.
Kaley testified she began using Instagram at nine and YouTube at six—without any real barriers blocking her access.
Over time, she said the platforms consumed her life.
“I stopped engaging with family because I was spending all my time on social media,” she told the court.
Her lawyers argued the apps functioned like “addiction machines,” pointing to features such as infinite scrolling designed to keep users glued to their screens.
Tech Giants To Appeal
Executives pushed back. Mark Zuckerberg maintained Meta had policies against users under 13.
While Instagram chief Adam Mosseri said spending 16 hours on the app in a day was “problematic” but not proof of addiction.
Tech analyst Mike Proulx says the verdict signals a turning point.
“Negative sentiment toward social media has been building for years,” he noted.
Meta and Google plan to appeal. But one thing is clear: the courtroom has become the newest battleground over social media—and childhood.
