Meta and YouTube found liable in landmark child social media harm case, ordered to pay $3 million—with punitive damages still to come

A California jury has delivered a landmark verdict, finding both Meta and YouTube legally liable for harm caused to a child using their platforms. After over 40 hours of deliberation across nine days, jurors determined the companies were negligent in the design or operation of their services. The case centered on a 20-year-old plaintiff who argued that her use of social media as a child led to addiction and significantly exacerbated her mental health struggles. The jury agreed that this corporate negligence was a "substantial factor" in causing the harm, awarding $3 million in compensatory damages.

This multimillion-dollar verdict is set to grow substantially. The jury's critical finding that Meta and YouTube acted with "malice" or highly egregious conduct triggers a second phase of the trial focused solely on punitive damages. Jurors will now hear new evidence and return to deliberation to determine additional financial penalties intended to punish the companies and deter similar conduct. This first-of-its-kind lawsuit successfully pierced the typical legal shields protecting platforms, setting a powerful precedent for holding social media giants directly accountable for user well-being, particularly concerning young, vulnerable audiences.