Jury finds Instagram and YouTube liable in landmark social media addiction trial

A jury has found Instagram and YouTube liable in a landmark social media addiction trial, a decision that could set a significant precedent for similar cases. The verdict, delivered in Los Angeles on March 25, 2026, concluded that both platforms intentionally designed their services with addictive features that harmed young users. The plaintiff, identified as KGM or Kaley, a 20-year-old woman, testified that her early and prolonged use of these platforms led to addiction and worsened her mental health struggles.

The jury awarded a total of $6 million in damages, comprising $3 million in compensatory damages and an additional $3 million in punitive damages. Meta, the parent company of Instagram, was deemed 70% responsible for the harm, while Google-owned YouTube was held 30% accountable. This ruling marks the first time such a lawsuit has reached a jury and is expected to influence over 1,600 other pending cases against social media companies.

Both Meta and Google have expressed their disagreement with the verdict, stating their intent to appeal the decision. Despite the tech giants' plans to challenge the ruling, legal experts view the verdict as a momentous development in the ongoing debate surrounding social media addiction and corporate accountability.