Jury finds Meta and YouTube negligent in landmark social media case

Emotional scenes unfolded outside a Los Angeles courthouse as families celebrated a major legal victory against two of the world’s biggest tech companies.

(NBC)- Emotional scenes unfolded outside a Los Angeles courthouse as families celebrated a major legal victory against two of the world’s biggest tech companies — Meta Platforms and YouTube.

“Big tech, your gig is over,” one parent shouted as the verdict was announced.

In what legal experts describe as a first-of-its-kind case, a jury found both companies negligent in designing their platforms to be addictive — particularly for minors. The case centered on growing concerns over whether social media platforms contribute to mental health struggles among young users.

A now 20-year-old woman, who testified she developed depression and anxiety after using social media as a child, was awarded 6 million dollars in damages.

Attorneys for the plaintiff called the decision a powerful message to the tech industry.

“We have sent a message with this — you will be held accountable for the features,” said attorney Mark Lanier.

During the five-week trial, internal company records were presented, including documents suggesting Instagram — owned by Meta Platforms — aimed to maximize the amount of time young users spent on the app.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified that the company has since shifted its focus, pointing to newer safety features designed for teens.

Still, for many families, the verdict represents more than a legal win — it’s validation of long-standing concerns.

“We’ve been screaming from the top of roofs for years,” said Julianna Arnold, a plaintiff and mother who says she lost her child to the darker side of social media.

In a statement, YouTube’s parent company Google said the case misunderstands its platform, arguing YouTube is not a social media site.

Meta responded by emphasizing that teen mental health is complex and cannot be attributed to a single app.

Both companies say they plan to appeal the decision.

The ruling comes just days after another major legal setback for Meta, with a New Mexico jury awarding the state 375 million dollars in a separate case involving allegations the platform created a space where child predators could operate.