Court Holds Meta, YouTube Accountable for Social Media Addiction, Imposes $6 Million Fine

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Meta, YouTube Hit With $6 Million Verdict in Social Media Addiction Case

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg leaves the Los Angeles Superior Court after testifying on February 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo: AFP)

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News18•26-03-2026, 08:44

Meta, YouTube Hit With $6 Million Verdict in Social Media Addiction Case

•A Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube liable for harming a young woman through addictive platform design, awarding $6 million in damages.
•The court concluded that Meta (Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp) and Google (YouTube) deliberately created features encouraging addiction, impacting the plaintiff's mental health.
•Jurors found both companies negligent for harming children and teenagers and failing to warn about risks, with Meta paying 70% and YouTube 30% of damages.
•The verdict is a breakthrough in over 1,600 similar lawsuits, challenging Section 230 protections and potentially influencing future cases and platform design.
•Both Meta and Google plan to appeal, with Meta citing the complexity of teen mental health and Google distinguishing YouTube as a streaming platform.

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