Jury Verdicts Signal a Shift in Perception of Social Media’s Impact on Youth
Recent jury verdicts in Los Angeles and New Mexico have marked a potential turning point in how social media companies are viewed regarding their responsibility for the mental health of young users. In Los Angeles, both Meta and YouTube were found liable for the negative impact their platforms had on children. Meanwhile, in New Mexico, a jury concluded that Meta was aware of the detrimental effects on children’s mental health and failed to disclose issues related to child sexual exploitation on its platform.
These decisions have been applauded by tech watchdogs, families, and children’s advocates. Sacha Haworth, executive director of The Tech Oversight Project, commented on the significance of these outcomes, stating, “The era of Big Tech invincibility is over.”
Although it remains unclear whether these verdicts will lead to major changes in how social media companies engage with younger users, the rulings indicate a shift in public sentiment. Historically, tech companies have argued that any negative effects on children were unintended consequences of broader societal issues. However, these recent legal outcomes challenge that narrative.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, when questioned during the Los Angeles trial about the addictive nature of social media, responded, “I’m not sure what to say to that. I don’t think that applies here.”
Despite the jury’s rulings, Meta and Google have expressed their disagreement and are considering legal responses, including potential appeals. Former Meta engineering director Arturo Béjar, who has testified about Instagram’s impact, emphasized the need for regulatory action, stating that significant changes occur when legal authorities intervene.
The cases in Los Angeles and New Mexico, although both addressing harm to children, differed in their specifics. New Mexico’s lawsuit was initiated by Attorney General Raúl Torrez, who presented evidence obtained by posing as children on social media. The Los Angeles case involved a plaintiff identified as KGM, who accused Meta and YouTube of designing addictive features aimed at young users. This lawsuit is one of many similar cases, with KGM serving as a test case for broader legal action.
By focusing on design and product liability, these lawsuits avoided challenges related to Section 230, which typically protects internet companies from being liable for user-generated content. Nikolas Guggenberger, a law professor at the University of Houston, noted, “For the first time, courts have held social media platforms accountable for how their product design can harm users.”
The final outcomes of these cases could take years to resolve, but the shift in public perception is already evident. A Pew Research Center poll in 2025 indicated that 48% of teens believe social media negatively impacts their age group, up from 32% in 2022.
As scrutiny of social media increases, artificial intelligence chatbots are emerging as a new area of concern for the safety of young users. Sarah Kreps, director of Cornell University’s Tech Policy Institute, highlighted the challenges of regulating emerging technologies, emphasizing that new digital platforms will continue to arise to meet demand.
