Meta Appeals Verdict in Social Media Addiction Lawsuit

Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, has appealed a significant social media addiction lawsuit verdict in Los Angeles. This verdict accused Meta of designing its platforms to engage young users without prioritizing their well-being. Meta’s legal team submitted a notice of appeal in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, and they will present their arguments in forthcoming court documents.

The case involved a 20-year-old woman named Kaley, identified in court as KGM. She claimed that her childhood addiction to social media exacerbated her mental health issues. The jury concluded that negligence by both Meta and Google-owned YouTube contributed significantly to her harm. The jury awarded her $3 million in damages, along with an additional $3 million in punitive damages.

Kaley’s lead attorney, Mark Lanier, expressed confidence that the appellate court will uphold the trial court’s verdict. Initiating an appeal can lead to a prolonged process. A Meta spokesperson reiterated their position from March, stating that teen mental health is complex and not solely attributable to one app.

José Castañeda, a Google spokesperson, noted that YouTube plans to appeal as well, describing the motions as part of a standard procedure to advance the case. Both Meta and Google filed post-trial motions seeking judgment notwithstanding the verdict and a new trial. However, the trial judge, Carolyn B. Kuhl, dismissed these motions in early June.

Tech companies like Meta and YouTube typically have legal immunity for third-party content under Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act. The plaintiffs, however, targeted features like infinite scroll and autoplay, which are platform design elements rather than user content issues. Throughout the trial, the defendants frequently objected to discussions encroaching on content concerns.

This verdict follows a similar case against Meta in New Mexico, where a jury ruled that Meta’s platforms harm children’s mental health and safety. In that case, the jury imposed a $375 million penalty, a decision Meta also plans to appeal. Meta maintains confidence in its protective measures for teens online and continues to challenge these allegations.

Kaley’s case sets a precedent, potentially impacting numerous lawsuits claiming social media companies intentionally cause harm. Initially, TikTok and Snap Inc., Snapchat’s parent company, were implicated as defendants but settled for undisclosed amounts before the trial.