Plaintiff Awarded $6 million in Landmark Trial Against Social Media Giants

Currently, there is an on-going litigation in the Judicial Court Coordinated Proceedings, JCCP5255 (i.e. Social Media Cases), regarding claims of social media addiction against defendants Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Snap. Plaintiffs are claiming these social media providers designed their product to be addictive, an alleged product defect and sued under a Negligence action.

On March 25, 2026, a jury agreed as such when plaintiff Kaley G.M. was awarded a favorable $6 million verdict against social media giants, Meta and YouTube. The $6 million was comprised of $3 million in punitive damages and $3 million in compensatory damages, with a 70% liability as to Meta and a 30% liability as to YouTube. Snap and TikTok are believed to have settled with plaintiff prior to trial.

Plaintiff, now 20, argued that her early use of social media during her adolescence addicted her to the social media apps which lead to her depression and suicidal thoughts. Plaintiff produced experts and exhibits that supported their argument that the companies were aware of addictive risks while they were creating and maintaining these products, including maintaining internal goals around increasing user engagement with their products.

Plaintiff further argued that for years social media companies have profited from targeting children like plaintiffs while knowingly concealing their addictive and dangerous design features. Plaintiff stressed this present case and pending cases were not about an apology but rather holding the defendants accountable. Plaintiff claimed that a product defect in the apps was a result of the platforms design features, such as notifications and auto scrolling, intended to keep users addicted to the app.

Defendants relied on plaintiff Kaley’s medical records and testimony from health care individuals to argue social media played a limited role in plaintiff’s treatment and diagnosis, which did not include social media addiction. Defendants focused on specific instances of trauma and abuse in plaintiff’s early life as the factors in her depression.

Further defendants argued that the app features are not perfect and are rather evolving towards the “right path”, including referencing internal efforts to improve safety; though also arguing users ultimately control how devices with their apps are used. Defendant stressed to the jury that this present case focused on a single plaintiff who experienced positive and negative impacts from the use of social media and that the case was not about a societal harm.

Ultimately the jury found in favor of plaintiff and two jurors indicated they arrived at the $6 million verdict by considering the harm plaintiff Kaley endured, the job she can maintain, and how much an average person may earn. Those jurors further indicated Meta’s CEO’s testimony did not sit well with them as to how wavering his testimony was, which further contributed to their findings. However, defendants disagreed with the verdict and may seek to appeal the decision.

This present case was a bellwether trial, a sample trial to test how similar pending suits may play out in which the present verdict may impact how those other suits may resolve. This case also presents the first step away from Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shielded providers from liability from user generated content on their platform, by successfully arguing and seeking liability on the design of the providers platform itself rather than the content.

Further trials in these Judicial Court Coordinated Proceedings are expected including two more bellwether trials this year, and further trials comprised of six school districts and five individuals.

Additionally, beyond the Judicial Court Coordinated Proceedings, the State of New Mexico similarly recently received a favorable landmark verdict against Meta who was found liable for misleading consumers about the safety of its platforms and endangering children in violation of New Mexico’s consumer laws, resulting in $375 million in civil penalties.

Both these landmark verdicts are setting the stage for larger legal battle to hold social media platforms liable for their products as plaintiff Kaley’s case becomes the first victory in the present Judicial Court Coordinated Proceedings and New Mexico is believed to be the first state to hold Meta accountable for similar claims.