Alphabet’s Google and Meta have been held responsible on Wednesday for creating platforms that pose risks to teenagers, in a significant ruling that may prompt tech companies to reassess their defenses against safety allegations.
This ruling could signify a pivotal moment in the global pushback against the perceived mental health impacts of their platforms on children and teenagers, over two decades since the advent of social media.
The determination of punitive damages for the companies is pending. Judge Carolyn Kuhl stated in court that the jury will weigh whether Google or Meta’s products caused physical harm to the plaintiff or if the companies disregarded the well-being of other users.
The case revolves around a 20-year-old woman, identified in court as Kaley, who was a minor when the legal proceedings commenced. She claimed she developed an addiction to Google’s YouTube and Meta’s Instagram at a young age due to their captivating designs. The jury concluded that Google and Meta were at fault for the inadequate design of both apps and for failing to caution users about potential risks.
The lead counsel for the plaintiff remarked in a statement, “Today’s verdict serves as a message — from the jury to the entire industry — that accountability is now a reality.”
Following the verdict, Meta’s shares saw an increase of nearly 1%, while Alphabet’s shares remained relatively unchanged, showing only a slight decrease.
