Trending Now - Meta and Youtube Held Accountable in Pivotal Addiction Ruling
WHO:
Kaley, also referred to as K.G.M., is a 20-year-old woman from Chico, California, who is the plaintiff in the case.
Sarah Gardner, CEO of Heat Initiative, stated, “For the parents whose children died as a result of social media harms, today’s verdict is a huge step toward truth, justice, and accountability.”
Alvaro Bedoya, former FTC commissioner, commented, “A jury of regular people has managed to do what Congress and even state legislatures have not: Hold Meta and Google accountable for addicting young people to their products.”
Jonathan Haidt, author of “The Anxious Generation,” stated, “We are in a new world: a new era in the fight to protect children from online harms.”
Kaley, also referred to as K.G.M., is a 20-year-old woman from Chico, California, who is the plaintiff in the case.
Mark Lanier, attorney for Kaley, stated, “These companies built machines designed to addict the brains of children, and they did it on purpose.”
Raúl Torrez, New Mexico Attorney General, said, “The substantial damages the jury ordered Meta to pay should send a clear message to big tech executives that no company is beyond the reach of the law.”
Joseph VanZandt, co-lead lawyer for families suing social media companies, said, “This verdict is bigger than one case. For years, social media companies have profited from targeting children while concealing their addictive and dangerous design features.”
Kaley, a 20-year-old woman from Chico, California, is the plaintiff in the case.
Mark Lanier, attorney for Kaley, stated, “These companies built machines designed to addict the brains of children, and they did it on purpose.”
Raúl Torrez, New Mexico Attorney General, said, “Juries in New Mexico and California have recognized that Meta's public deception and design features are putting children in harm's way.”
Jonathan Haidt, author of “The Anxious Generation,” stated, “We are in a new world: a new era in the fight to protect children from online harms.”
Sarah Gardner, CEO of Heat Initiative, said, “For the parents whose children died as a result of social media harms, today’s verdict is a huge step toward truth, justice, and accountability.”
Alvaro Bedoya, former FTC commissioner, commented, “A jury of regular people has managed to do what Congress and even state legislatures have not: Hold Meta and Google accountable for addicting young people to their products.”
Jonathan Haidt, author of “The Anxious Generation”
Matthew Bergman, attorney at the Social Media Victims Law Center
Linda Payton, juror in the New Mexico trial
Donald Migliori, prosecuting attorney in the New Mexico trial
Joseph VanZandt, co-lead lawyer for families suing social media companies
Kaley, a 20-year-old woman from Chico, California, plaintiff in the case
Meta, parent company of Instagram
Google, parent company of YouTube
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta
José Castañeda, spokesperson for Google
Sarah Gardner, CEO of Heat Initiative
Alvaro Bedoya, former FTC commissioner
Josh Hammer, attorney
Raúl Torrez, New Mexico Attorney General
WHAT:
The jury in Los Angeles awarded a total of $6 million to Kaley, with $3 million in compensatory damages and an additional $3 million in punitive damages.
The New Mexico jury found Meta guilty of 75,000 violations, resulting in a total penalty of $375 million.
The New Mexico trial will enter a second phase in May 2026, where a judge will decide if Meta created a public nuisance and if the company must pay additional penalties.
The New Mexico jury's verdict was delivered on March 24th, 2026.
The verdict in the Los Angeles trial was announced on March 25th, 2026.
The jury found that Meta and Google failed to sufficiently warn users about the dangers of their products.
The jury's decision is viewed as a referendum that accountability has arrived for social media companies.
The New Mexico jury found Meta guilty of 75,000 violations, each carrying a maximum penalty of $5,000, resulting in a total penalty of $375 million.
The New Mexico trial jury determined that Meta's actions constituted "unconscionable" trade practices.
The New Mexico trial will enter a second phase in May 2026, where a judge will decide if Meta created a public nuisance and if the company must pay additional penalties.
The jury awarded a total of $6 million to Kaley, with $3 million in compensatory damages and an additional $3 million in punitive damages.
The jury found that Meta and Google failed to sufficiently warn users about the dangers of their products.
The jury's decision is seen as a potential precedent for thousands of other lawsuits against social media companies.
The New Mexico jury found Meta liable for 75,000 violations of state consumer protection laws, resulting in a total penalty of $375 million.
The New Mexico trial jury determined that Meta's actions constituted "unconscionable" trade practices.
The New Mexico jury's verdict was delivered on March 24th, 2026.
The Los Angeles jury awarded $3 million in compensatory damages to Kaley, with Meta responsible for 70% ($2.1 million) and Google for 30% ($900,000).
The Los Angeles trial lasted over five weeks, with more than eight days of jury deliberations.
The jury awarded $3 million in compensatory damages, with Meta responsible for 70% ($2.1 million) and Google for 30% ($900,000).
The jury also ordered an additional $3 million in punitive damages, bringing the total to $6 million.
The jury found that Meta and Google failed to sufficiently warn users about the dangers of their products.
The jury deliberated for over 40 hours across nine days before reaching a verdict.
The New Mexico jury found Meta guilty of 75,000 violations, each carrying a maximum penalty of $5,000, resulting in a total penalty of $375 million.
A jury awarded $6 million to Kaley, finding Meta and YouTube negligent in a social media addiction trial.
The jury ordered $3 million in compensatory damages, with Meta responsible for 70% ($2.1 million) and Google for 30% ($900,000).
The verdict was described as a "Big Tobacco moment" for social media.
The jury found that Meta and Google failed to warn users about the dangers of their platforms.
The trial lasted over five weeks, with more than eight days of jury deliberations.
The case is a bellwether for approximately 2,000 other pending lawsuits against social media companies.
The jury in Los Angeles awarded a total of $6 million to Kaley, with $3 million in compensatory damages and an additional $3 million in punitive damages.
The New Mexico jury found Meta guilty of 75,000 violations, resulting in a total penalty of $375 million.
The New Mexico trial will enter a second phase in May 2026, where a judge will decide if Meta created a public nuisance and if the company must pay additional penalties.
The New Mexico jury's verdict was delivered on March 24th, 2026.
The verdict in the Los Angeles trial was announced on March 25th, 2026.
The jury found that Meta and Google failed to sufficiently warn users about the dangers of their products.
The jury in Los Angeles awarded a total of $3 million in damages to Kaley, with Meta responsible for 70% ($2.1 million) and Google for 30% ($900,000).
The New Mexico jury found Meta guilty of 75,000 violations, resulting in a total penalty of $375 million.
The New Mexico trial will enter a second phase in May 2026, where a judge will decide if Meta created a public nuisance and if the company must pay additional penalties.
The jury's verdict in the Los Angeles trial was described as a “Big Tobacco moment” for social media.
The jury's decision is viewed as a referendum that accountability has arrived for social media companies.
The New Mexico jury found Meta guilty of 75,000 violations, each carrying a maximum penalty of $5,000, resulting in a total penalty of $375 million.
The New Mexico trial will enter a second phase in May 2026, where a judge will decide if Meta created a public nuisance and if the company must pay additional penalties.
The jury awarded a total of $6 million to Kaley, with $3 million in compensatory damages and an additional $3 million in punitive damages.
The jury found that Meta and Google failed to sufficiently warn users about the dangers of their products.
The jury's decision is seen as a potential precedent for thousands of other lawsuits against social media companies.
The New Mexico jury found Meta liable for 75,000 violations of state consumer protection laws, resulting in a total penalty of $375 million.
The New Mexico trial jury determined that Meta's actions constituted "unconscionable" trade practices.
The New Mexico trial will enter a second phase in May 2026, where a judge will decide if Meta created a public nuisance and if the company must pay additional penalties.
The New Mexico jury found Meta liable for 75,000 violations of state consumer protection laws, resulting in a total penalty of $375 million.
The New Mexico trial jury determined that Meta's actions constituted "unconscionable" trade practices.
The New Mexico jury's verdict was delivered on March 24th, 2026.
The Los Angeles jury awarded $3 million in compensatory damages to Kaley, with Meta responsible for 70% ($2.1 million) and Google for 30% ($900,000).
The Los Angeles trial lasted over five weeks, with more than eight days of jury deliberations.
The jury awarded $3 million in compensatory damages, with Meta responsible for 70% ($2.1 million) and Google for 30% ($900,000).
The jury also ordered an additional $3 million in punitive damages, bringing the total to $6 million.
The jury found that Meta and Google failed to sufficiently warn users about the dangers of their products.
The jury deliberated for over 40 hours across nine days before reaching a verdict.
The New Mexico jury found Meta guilty of 75,000 violations, each carrying a maximum penalty of $5,000, resulting in a total penalty of $375 million.
A jury awarded $6 million to Kaley, finding Meta and YouTube negligent in a social media addiction trial
The jury ordered $3 million in compensatory damages, with Meta responsible for 70% ($2.1 million) and Google for 30% ($900,000)
The verdict was described as a "Big Tobacco moment" for social media
The jury found that Meta and Google failed to warn users about the dangers of their platforms
The trial lasted over five weeks, with more than eight days of jury deliberations
The case is a bellwether for approximately 2,000 other pending lawsuits against social media companies
WHERE:
The trials took place in Los Angeles, California, and New Mexico.
Los Angeles, California, where the trial took place.
New Mexico, where a separate trial resulted in a $375 million penalty against Meta.
The trials took place in Los Angeles, California, and New Mexico.
Los Angeles, California, where the trial took place
New Mexico, where a separate trial resulted in a $375 million penalty against Meta
WHEN:
The New Mexico jury delivered its verdict on March 24th, 2026.
The verdict in the Los Angeles trial was announced on March 25th, 2026.
The New Mexico trial verdict was delivered on March 24th, 2026.
The lawsuit was filed in 2023.
The New Mexico jury delivered its verdict on March 24th, 2026.
The verdict in the Los Angeles trial was announced on March 25th, 2026.
The New Mexico jury delivered its verdict on March 24th, 2026.
The verdict in the Los Angeles trial was announced on March 25th, 2026.
The New Mexico jury delivered its verdict on March 24th, 2026.
The verdict in the Los Angeles trial was announced on March 25th, 2026.
The New Mexico trial verdict was delivered on March 24th, 2026.
The verdict was announced on March 25th, 2026
The New Mexico trial verdict was delivered on March 24th, 2026
The lawsuit was filed in 2023
WHY:
The verdict is viewed as a response to the growing mental health crisis among youth attributed to social media use.
Critics argue that the finding of liability was a long-overdue moment of accountability for tech companies.
The New Mexico jury concluded that Meta prioritized profits over safety, misleading consumers about the dangers of its platforms.
The New Mexico jury determined that Meta misled users about safety and enabled child sexual exploitation on its platforms, prioritizing profits over safety.
The lawsuit claimed that the design of Instagram and YouTube was intentionally addictive and harmful to children.
The verdict is viewed as a response to the growing mental health crisis among youth attributed to social media use.
Critics argue that the finding of liability was a long-overdue moment of accountability for tech companies.
The verdict is viewed as a response to the growing mental health crisis among youth attributed to social media use.
Critics argue that the finding of liability was a long-overdue moment of accountability for tech companies.
The verdict is seen as a response to the growing mental health crisis among youth attributed to social media use.
Critics argue that the finding of liability was a long-overdue moment of accountability for tech companies.
The verdict is viewed as a response to the growing mental health crisis among youth attributed to social media use.
Critics argue that the finding of liability was a long-overdue moment of accountability for tech companies.
The New Mexico jury concluded that Meta prioritized profits over safety, misleading consumers about the dangers of its platforms.
The verdict is seen as a response to the growing mental health crisis among youth attributed to social media use.
The New Mexico jury determined that Meta misled users about safety and enabled child sexual exploitation on its platforms, prioritizing profits over safety.
The lawsuit claimed that the design of Instagram and YouTube was intentionally addictive and harmful to children
The verdict is seen as a response to the growing mental health crisis among youth attributed to social media use
HOW:
The trial included testimonies from therapists, engineers, and executives, including Mark Zuckerberg, who testified about the company's efforts to attract and keep kids on its platforms.
The jury's decision was based on evidence presented during the trial, including internal documents from Meta that indicated the company was aware of the potential harms of its platforms.
The New Mexico trial included testimonies from former employees and internal documents that supported the argument that Meta misled consumers about safety and enabled child sexual exploitation on its platforms.
The Los Angeles trial focused on the design features of the platforms, such as infinite scroll and notifications, rather than user-generated content.
The New Mexico trial included testimonies from former employees and internal documents that supported the argument that Meta misled consumers about safety and enabled child sexual exploitation on its platforms.
The jury's decision was based on evidence presented during the trial, including internal documents from Meta.
The trial included testimonies from therapists, engineers, and executives, including Mark Zuckerberg.
The legal strategy focused on the design features of the platforms, such as infinite scroll and notifications, rather than user-generated content.
The trial included testimonies from therapists, engineers, and executives, including Mark Zuckerberg, who testified about the company's efforts to attract and keep kids on its platforms.
The trial included testimonies from therapists, engineers, and executives, including Mark Zuckerberg, who testified about the company's efforts to attract and keep kids on its platforms.
The jury's decision was based on evidence presented during the trial, including internal documents from Meta that indicated the company was aware of the potential harms of its platforms.
The trial included testimonies from therapists, engineers, and executives, including Mark Zuckerberg, who testified about the company's efforts to attract and keep kids on its platforms.
The jury's decision was based on evidence presented during the trial, including internal documents from Meta that indicated the company was aware of the potential harms of its platforms.
The trial included testimonies from therapists, engineers, and executives, including Mark Zuckerberg, who testified about the company's efforts to attract and keep kids on its platforms.
The jury's decision was based on evidence presented during the trial, including internal documents from Meta that indicated the company was aware of the potential harms of its platforms.
The New Mexico trial included testimonies from former employees and internal documents that supported the argument that Meta misled consumers about safety and enabled child sexual exploitation on its platforms.
The Los Angeles trial focused on the design features of the platforms, such as infinite scroll and notifications, rather than user-generated content.
The New Mexico trial included testimonies from former employees and internal documents that supported the argument that Meta misled consumers about safety and enabled child sexual exploitation on its platforms.
The jury's decision was based on evidence presented during the trial, including internal documents from Meta
The trial included testimonies from therapists, engineers, and executives, including Mark Zuckerberg
The legal strategy focused on the design features of the platforms, such as infinite scroll and notifications, rather than user-generated content
(UPDATED March 26, 2026 23:06 UTC)
In a landmark decision, a jury in Los Angeles awarded $6 million to Kaley, a 20-year-old woman from Chico, California, after finding that Meta and Google failed to adequately warn users about the dangers of their platforms. This verdict, announced on March 25, follows a separate trial in New Mexico where a jury found Meta guilty of 75,000 violations of consumer protection laws, resulting in a staggering $375 million penalty, with the trial set to continue in May 2026 to determine if Meta created a public nuisance. The outcomes of these trials are seen as a significant step toward accountability for social media companies, with experts describing the verdicts as a potential "Big Tobacco moment" for the tech industry.
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(UPDATED March 26, 2026 21:05 UTC)
In a significant legal development, a jury in New Mexico found Meta guilty of 75,000 violations, resulting in a staggering penalty of $375 million, while a separate jury in Los Angeles awarded Kaley, a 20-year-old plaintiff, $6 million for damages related to the company's practices. The verdicts, delivered on March 24th and 25th, respectively, reflect growing concerns over the mental health crisis among youth linked to social media, with critics viewing this as a crucial moment of accountability for tech companies. The trials featured testimonies from various experts, including Mark Zuckerberg, who discussed the company's strategies to engage young users, highlighting the ongoing debate about the impact of social media on children.
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(UPDATED March 26, 2026 17:20 UTC)
A jury in Los Angeles awarded Kaley, a 20-year-old woman from Chico, California, $3 million in damages, with Meta responsible for 70% and Google for 30%. This follows a New Mexico jury's verdict on March 24, which found Meta guilty of 75,000 violations, resulting in a staggering penalty of $375 million, and the trial will continue in May to determine if additional penalties are warranted. The cases highlight concerns over the mental health crisis among youth linked to social media, with critics arguing that these verdicts represent a long-overdue accountability for tech companies.
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(UPDATED March 26, 2026 07:18 UTC)
On March 24, a New Mexico jury found Meta guilty of 75,000 violations related to social media harms, leading to a total penalty of $375 million, and this verdict is being hailed as a significant moment of accountability for tech companies. Following this, on March 25, a jury in Los Angeles echoed similar sentiments, with Jonathan Haidt emphasizing the urgent need to protect children from online dangers and Sarah Gardner celebrating the verdict as a step toward justice for affected families. The trial featured testimonies from various experts, including Mark Zuckerberg, and revealed internal documents showing that Meta was aware of the potential harms its platforms posed to young users.
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(UPDATED March 26, 2026 05:31 UTC)
A New Mexico jury has awarded $6 million to Kaley, with half of that amount designated as compensatory damages, after finding that Meta and Google failed to adequately warn users about the dangers of their products. The jury determined that Meta was liable for 75,000 violations of state consumer protection laws, resulting in a staggering penalty of $375 million, and described the company's actions as "unconscionable" trade practices. This verdict, which is seen as a potential precedent for numerous lawsuits against social media companies, will lead to a second phase of the trial in May 2026, where a judge will decide if Meta created a public nuisance and whether additional penalties are warranted.
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(UPDATED March 26, 2026 03:50 UTC)
On March 24, 2026, a New Mexico jury found Meta liable for 75,000 violations of state consumer protection laws, resulting in a hefty penalty of $375 million, as they determined the company's actions were "unconscionable" trade practices that prioritized profits over safety. In a separate case, a Los Angeles jury awarded $3 million in compensatory damages to Kaley, with Meta responsible for 70 percent of that amount, after a trial that lasted over five weeks and included extensive jury deliberations. Testimonies from former employees and internal documents revealed that Meta misled consumers about safety and enabled child sexual exploitation, highlighting the growing mental health crisis among youth linked to social media use.
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(UPDATED March 26, 2026 01:20 UTC)
On March 24, 2026, a New Mexico jury awarded $6 million in damages to plaintiffs, finding that Meta and Google failed to adequately warn users about the dangers of their products, with Meta responsible for $2.1 million and Google for $900,000. The jury determined that Meta misled users about safety and allowed child sexual exploitation on its platforms, leading to a staggering total penalty of $375 million for 75,000 violations. After deliberating for over 40 hours across nine days, the jury's verdict was supported by testimonies from former employees and internal documents that highlighted Meta's prioritization of profits over user safety.
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(UPDATED March 26, 2026 00:26 UTC)
A jury in Los Angeles awarded $6 million to Kaley, a 20-year-old woman from Chico, California, after finding Meta and YouTube negligent in a trial focused on social media addiction. The jury ordered $3 million in compensatory damages, with Meta responsible for 70 percent and Google for 30 percent, marking a significant moment in the ongoing conversation about the impact of social media on mental health. This verdict, announced on March 25, is considered a "Big Tobacco moment" for social media, as it highlights the failure of these companies to warn users about the dangers associated with their platforms. The trial, which lasted over five weeks, included testimonies from various experts and internal documents from Meta, focusing on the addictive design features of Instagram and YouTube. This case serves as a bellwether for approximately 2,000 other pending lawsuits against social media companies, reflecting growing concerns about their influence on youth mental health.