Meta Appeals Landmark Social Media Addiction Verdict

Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, has taken steps to appeal a significant court ruling in a social media addiction case. The lawsuit, heard in Los Angeles, concluded with a jury’s decision that Meta designed its platforms to captivate young users without adequate regard for their well-being.

Meta’s legal team filed a notice of appeal in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Details of the appeal will be presented in future court documents. The case involved a 20-year-old woman who claimed her childhood addiction to social media aggravated her mental health issues. Identified by her initials, KGM, and first name, Kaley, the jury found both Meta and YouTube, owned by Google, liable for negligence, resulting in harm to her.

The jury awarded Kaley $3 million in damages and proposed an additional $3 million in punitive damages. Her attorney, Mark Lanier, expressed confidence in the appellate court’s affirmation of the trial verdict. A spokesperson for Meta reiterated the complexities of teen mental health, stating it cannot be attributed to a single app.

Google’s spokesperson, José Castañeda, confirmed YouTube’s intention to appeal, describing it as a standard procedure to advance the case. Both Meta and Google previously sought a judgment notwithstanding the verdict, a common defense motion to annul the jury’s decision, alongside a request for a new trial. However, Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl dismissed these motions in June.

Tech companies, such as Meta and YouTube, often rely on Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act for protection against liabilities from third-party content. To circumvent these legal shields, plaintiffs highlighted platform features like ‘infinite scroll’ and autoplay, which sustain user engagement.

This verdict coincided with additional legal challenges for Meta. A New Mexico jury similarly concluded that Meta’s platforms negatively impact children’s mental health and safety, resulting in a $375 million fine. Meta opposes this outcome and plans to appeal.

Regarding the California trial, Meta remains steadfast in its commitment to defending itself and protecting teens online. Kaley’s case is unprecedented and may set a precedent for numerous pending lawsuits against social media companies over alleged harm. TikTok and Snapchat’s parent company, Snap Inc., were initially defendants but reached undisclosed settlements prior to trial.