Jury Finds Meta and Google Liable in Social Media Addiction Trial
Last update: March 25, 2026
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This case is part of a larger wave of lawsuits against social media companies, with at least 20 states enacting laws last year regulating social media usage and children.
A Los Angeles jury has found Meta and Google liable in a landmark social media addiction lawsuit, with the potential to impact thousands of similar cases against tech companies.
CBI News reports that the case centered around a 20-year-old woman who claimed she became addicted to the platforms at a young age due to their attention-grabbing design. This verdict comes amid growing criticism over child safety on social media platforms and shifting debates to courts and state governments.
The focus on platform design rather than content makes it harder for companies to avert liability. TikTok and Snap settled with the plaintiff before the trial, while Meta and Google face ongoing litigation.
Large technology companies in the U.S. have faced mounting criticism in the last decade over child and teen safety. The debate has now shifted to courts and state governments. The U.S. Congress has declined to pass comprehensive legislation regulating social media.
At least 20 states enacted laws last year on social media usage and children, according to the nonpartisan National Conference of State Legislatures, an organization that tracks state laws, opens new tab.
