WASHINGTON : A jury in Los Angeles has found the Meta platforms and YouTube legally responsible for contributing to a young woman’s addiction to social media and awarded her $6 million in damages. The lawsuit claimed that both companies deliberately designed their platforms to be addictive, negatively affecting users’ mental health from an early age. The jury concluded that the design and operation of the platform showed serious misconduct, which led to the award of both compensatory and punitive damages.

The case is expected to have far-reaching consequences, with hundreds of similar lawsuits already underway across the United States. Although both companies have denied the allegations and announced plans to appeal, the ruling reflects growing public concern about how digital platforms affect young users. Experts suggest this could signal a turning point in holding technology companies accountable, as governments around the world consider stricter rules on children’s use of social media.

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