She says Instagram and YouTube wrecked her mental health — then beat Meta and Google in court

A US jury has ruled that tech giants Google and Meta must pay USD6 million (RM28 million) in damages to a young woman who claimed she developed a social media addiction during her childhood.

The plaintiff, now aged 20 and identified only by her initials KGM, argued that the design of YouTube and Instagram played a significant role in shaping her excessive use of the platforms, ultimately harming her mental health.

Jurors found that both companies were negligent in how their platforms were designed, highlighting three key failings that led to the ruling.

Firstly, the jury agreed that the platforms incorporated attention-grabbing features that encouraged prolonged engagement. These design elements were found to have contributed directly to the plaintiff’s addictive behaviour.

Secondly, the companies were criticised for failing to provide adequate warnings about the risks associated with excessive use. Jurors determined that young users were not sufficiently informed about the potential mental health impacts.

Finally, both firms were found negligent in their responsibility to protect younger users. The jury concluded that more could have been done to minimise harm.

While both companies were held liable, Meta was found to bear a greater share of responsibility, accounting for 70 per cent of the blame, while YouTube carried the remaining 30 per cent.

The damages awarded include USD3 million (RM14 million) in compensatory damages, followed by an additional USD3 million (RM14 million) in punitive damages after further deliberation.

Legal representatives for KGM described the verdict as a “historic moment” for children and families, saying it signals growing accountability for tech companies.

The case is expected to influence a wave of similar lawsuits in the United States, with more than 1,600 plaintiffs already filing cases against major platforms including Meta, TikTok, YouTube and Snap.

Both Meta and Google have said they disagree with the verdict and are considering their legal options, with Google indicating plans to appeal.

The outcome could also have wider implications internationally. In the UK, policymakers are currently consulting on stricter regulations surrounding children’s use of social media.

In another landmark ruling, Meta was ordered to pay USD375 million (RM1.76 billion) after a US court found that the company knowingly harmed children’s mental health and engaged in unfair trade practices.

Jurors concluded that Meta exploited the vulnerabilities of young users and failed to adequately address harmful content on its platforms. Meta has said it will appeal the decision.