Meta and YouTube Found Negligent in US Trials Over Child Addiction

Juries in California and New Mexico found Meta (parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) and YouTube negligent for designing addictive platforms that harmed minors' mental health. The New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million in civil damages for violating state consumer protection laws.

Key points

• The New Mexico jury found Meta violated the state's Unfair Practices Act by prioritizing profits over child safety.
• The New Mexico case was brought by Attorney General Raúl Torrez following an undercover investigation.
• The California jury declared Meta and YouTube "negligent" and fined them $3 million in compensatory damages to the plaintiff, Kaley G. M.
• Meta stated it disagrees with the verdicts and plans to appeal both rulings.
• The New Mexico trial phase will proceed to determine if Meta created a public nuisance and should fund public programs.

Why it matters

These landmark verdicts represent a significant legal shift, potentially challenging tech companies' liability shields like Section 230 and forcing changes in platform design regarding child safety.