References to major stories from earlier in April (such as Meta/YouTube guilty verdicts on April 7)

A jury in California found Meta Platforms Inc. and YouTube liable April 7 for creating addictive products that contributed to harmful behavior in a 20-year-old plaintiff. The verdict marked the first time major social media companies were held responsible by a U.S. jury for addictive design, according to plaintiff lawyers, who said the decision signals that accountability has arrived.

The jury’s verdict followed more than 40 hours of deliberations after a weeks-long trial in California. The case centered on K.G.M., a 20-year-old plaintiff who alleged that Meta Platforms Inc. and YouTube designed addictive products that contributed to harmful behavior.

Jurors apportioned 70% of the responsibility to Meta and 30% to YouTube, awarding K.G.M. $3 million in compensatory damages, with total damages potentially reaching $6 million including punitive awards, according to court records and statements from plaintiff lawyers.

The trial included testimony from top executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, highlighting the companies’ knowledge of the addictive nature of their platforms. Plaintiff attorneys described the verdict as a “referendum” on social media accountability. However, jurors were not unanimous in finding Meta and YouTube liable on all charges, according to trial coverage.

This case followed separate developments in New Mexico, where a jury found Meta liable for endangering children and misleading the public about platform safety. That ruling, issued April 6, ordered Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties for exposing children to explicit content and predators. Meta announced plans to appeal that decision, with CEO Zuckerberg stating the company has been transparent about the challenges of catching all harmful content, according to Meta spokespeople and court filings.

Meta’s spokesperson Lisa Crenshaw said the company “respectfully disagrees with the verdict and is evaluating our legal options.” YouTube spokesperson José Castañeda confirmed the platform also plans to appeal the California ruling. YouTube’s parent company, Google, faces ongoing federal litigation involving more than 235 plaintiffs suing Meta, Snap, TikTok, and Google over similar claims, with trials scheduled to begin in June 2026.

The lawsuit against Meta and YouTube followed settlements with Snap and TikTok days before the trial started. These companies reached undisclosed agreements with K.G.M., according to sources familiar with the case. The jury’s decision to hold Meta and YouTube liable for addictive design marks the first time major social media firms have faced such a verdict in a U.S. court, according to plaintiff lawyers.

The next phase of the California case will determine the full amount of damages owed and whether the court will order changes to the platforms’ design to reduce addictive features. The verdict is expected to influence ongoing and future litigation involving social media companies and their responsibility for user well-being.

Federal cases involving hundreds of plaintiffs claim that Meta, Snap, TikTok, and Google created products that harm young users’ mental health. These trials, set for mid-2026, could expand the legal scrutiny on social media companies’ content moderation and design practices.

The California verdict and the New Mexico ruling together highlight a growing legal focus on social media platforms’ impact on children and teens. While the companies deny liability and plan appeals, these cases represent a shift toward holding technology firms accountable for the safety and mental health of their users, according to legal experts and advocacy groups.

As the legal battles continue, social media companies face increasing pressure from courts and regulators to address the addictive qualities of their products and the risks posed to younger audiences. The outcomes of these trials could lead to significant changes in industry practices and regulatory policies in the coming years.