Jury finds YouTube, Meta negligent in landmark social media addiction case; orders them to pay $6 million in damages
In a landmark decision, a jury on Wednesday found the video streaming platform YouTube and Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, Threads and WhatsApp, negligent for designing features that harmed and caused a young user mental distress.
The jury ordered Meta to pay $4.2 million and YouTube $1.8 million, a total of $6 million, in damages to the plaintiff, a 20-year-old identified as Kaley, who sued the two platforms.
While $3 million of the total damages was awarded as compensatory damages, the remainder was awarded as punitive damages.
Among other claims, Ms Kaley, in her suit against YouTube and Meta, said features like auto-scrolling got her addicted to the platforms, causing anxiety, depression, and body image issues.
The duo of YouTube and Meta have reacted to the jury’s verdict, disagreeing with it and evaluating their legal options.
José Castañeda, a Google spokesman, said, “This case misunderstands YouTube, which is a responsibly built streaming platform, not a social media site.”
A Meta spokeswoman, in a statement on Wednesday, said, “We respectfully disagree with the verdict and are evaluating our legal options.”
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
NCC @37: Commission honours five former DGs, 12 retired directors
Mr Ekpo said Mr Obasanjo provided free land that enabled the commission to carry out an expansion programme.
Faith
Emir of Rano to lead Kano pilgrims for 2027 Hajj: Gov. Yusuf
The CPS said that the emir and the emirate thanked the governor for the singular honour.
Heading 2
Troops kill one suspected kidnapper, arrest two others in Benue
Mr Zubairu noted that the other members of the group fled in disarray.
Heading 4
Public service measured by impact, not years in office, Fagbemi says
Mr Fagbemi commended the management and staff of the NCC.
Heading 5
Kano, FG expanding irrigation infrastructure to boost food security, economic development
Mr Yusuf commended the federal government for its intervention.
Abuja
Completion of abandoned projects hallmark of my three-year tenure: Wike
Mr Wike said his team had remained committed to its mandate despite initial challenges.
