Parents who say they have lost their children due to social media hold up a banner with the names of the children outside the court after the jury found Meta and Google liable in a key test case accusing Meta and Google’s YouTube of harming children’s mental health through addictive social media platforms, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 25, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS/Mike Blake
A Los Angeles jury found Alphabet’s
Google and Meta liable on Wednesday in a
landmark youth social media addiction trial.
Here are the details of the jury’s verdict:
META, GOOGLE OWE DAMAGES
The jury awarded $3 million in damages to the plaintiff.
Meta will be liable for 70% of the damages and Google for 30%.
META WAS NEGLIGENT
The jury found Meta was negligent in designing or operating
Instagram.
META’S CONDUCT DEEMED ‘SUBSTANTIAL’ FACTOR IN WOMAN’S HARM
The jury found that Meta’s negligence was a “substantial
factor” in harming the 20-year-old plaintiff. The plaintiff said
earlier in the legal proceeding her Instagram use fueled her
mental health struggles.
META DID NOT ADEQUATELY WARN USERS
The jury found Meta liable for failing to adequately warn
users about the dangers of using Instagram.
GOOGLE WAS NEGLIGENT
The jury found Google was negligent in designing or
operating YouTube.
GOOGLE’S CONDUCT DEEMED ‘SUBSTANTIAL’ FACTOR IN WOMAN’S HARM
The jury found Google’s negligence was a “substantial
factor” in harming the 20-year-old plaintiff. The plaintiff has
said YouTube’s features contributed to her depression and
anxiety.
GOOGLE DID NOT ADEQUATELY WARN USERS
The jury found Google liable for failing to adequately warn
users about the dangers of using YouTube.
Published on March 26, 2026
