Landmark Verdict: Jury Finds Meta and Google Liable for Social Media Addiction
A Los Angeles jury has awarded $6 million in damages, finding Meta (Instagram) and Google (YouTube) negligent in a historic youth mental health case.
By: AXL Media
Published: Mar 26, 2026, 9:47 AM EDT
Source: Reuters
The Verdict and Damages
The jury awarded a total of $6 million to a 20-year-old plaintiff who alleged that her use of Instagram and YouTube fueled her depression, anxiety, and general mental health decline.
Compensatory Damages: $3 million
Punitive Damages: $3 million
Liability Split: Meta is responsible for 70% of the total damages, while Google is liable for the remaining 30%.
Key Findings of the Jury
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