A Los Angeles jury has ruled that Meta and Google are responsible for social media addiction among young people. The decision comes at the end of a process initiated by the complaint of a young Californian, Kaley GM, who accused digital platforms of having negatively affected her mental health during childhood.
The case: depression and online content
According to the twenty-year-old’s testimony, YouTube (owned by Google) and Instagram (owned by Meta) contributed to generating depression and suicidal thoughts. The case has put the spotlight on the role of algorithms and content in shaping the behavior of young people.
Millionaire compensation and legal precedent
The jury awarded the young woman compensation of 3 million dollars, sanctioning a verdict already defined as historic. The decision could represent
a precedent destined to redefine Big Tech’s legal responsibility for protecting users’ mental health.
Meta’s reaction to the sentence
Meta declared that he did not agree with the court’s decision, stating “with all due respect” his opposition to the sentence handed down in Los Angeles.
A position already expressed by the company in another recent unfavorable court case in New Mexico.