Punitive damages awarded after Meta, YouTube negligence verdict

Updated at 12:56 p.m.: Los Angeles jury awards plaintiffs punitive damages of $2.1 million against Meta and $900,000 against YouTube after finding the companies negligent in the first social media addiction bellwether trial.

A Los Angeles County jury found that both Meta and YouTube were liable for negligence in the first bellwether trial over whether the companies deliberately designed their social media platforms in ways that harmfully addicted children and teens.

The verdict arrived on the jury's ninth day of deliberations and concluded almost seven weeks of trial. They were given the case on March 13.

The jury awarded $3 million in damages, apportioning 70% to Meta and 30% to Google. The jury also found that both Meta and Google had acted with malice. Punitive damages were expected to be determined shortly.

The jury was split 10-2 on questions regarding Meta and YouTube's negligence regarding design, foreseeability and harm to the plaintiff. They voted 9-3 on damages and apportionment.

The landmark case centered on claims by plaintiff Kaley G.M, now 20, that Meta Platforms and Google designed Instagram and YouTube with features intended to maximize children and teen user engagement, creating addiction-like behavior that worsened her mental health and disrupted her development.

Kaley's case is one of thousands that are pending in the coordinated litigation before Superior Court Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl. According to the docket, two more trials are expected this year. Social Media Cases, JCCP5255 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed Oct. 24, 2022).

Companies that own Snapchat and TikTok settled Kaley's claims days before trial but remain as defendants in the other cases.

The plaintiff's team was led by Mark Lanier and included Rachel Lanier of the Lanier Law Firm, Mariana McConnell of Kiesel Law LLP, Rahul Ravipudi of Panish Sheah Ravipudi LLP and Joseph Van Zandt of Beasley Allen Law Firm.

They issued a joint statement. "[T]his verdict is bigger than one case," it read. "For years, social media companies have profited from targeting children while concealing their addictive and dangerous design features.

"Today's verdict is a referendum -- from a jury, to an entire industry -- that accountability has arrived. We now move forward to the next phase of this trial focused on punitive damages," it continued. "Thousands of individuals and families continue to litigate in the Los Angeles Superior Court. We will carry this fight forward on their behalf with the same commitment and determination that brought us to this verdict today."