Meta files appeal of Los Angeles jury verdict on social-media addiction case

Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, filed a notice of appeal Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court challenging a jury verdict that held the firm and Google-owned YouTube liable for a young woman's social-media addiction. The case involved a 20-year-old woman, identified as KGM, who testified that her addiction began in childhood and worsened her mental-health struggles. The jury awarded her $3 million in compensatory damages and recommended an additional $3 million in punitive damages.

"We expect the appellate court to continue the careful application of the law to this case, affirming the verdict of the trial court," said lead plaintiff attorney Mark Lanier.

Meta’s spokesperson reiterated a statement made after the March verdict, noting that teen mental health is "profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app." Google’s spokesperson José Castañeda said YouTube also plans to appeal, describing the motions as "standard" for the case.

Both companies had previously sought judgment notwithstanding the verdict and a new trial, requests that trial judge Carolyn B. Kuhl denied in early June. The plaintiffs focused on platform design features such as infinite scroll and autoplay, arguing these elements contributed to the alleged harm, while the defendants raised objections throughout the five-week trial.

The Los Angeles verdict follows a separate New Mexico jury finding that Meta’s platforms harm children’s mental health, which resulted in a $375 million penalty. Meta has indicated it will appeal that judgment as well, asserting confidence in its record of protecting teens online.