In a significant development within the tech industry, Meta, the corporation behind social media giants Instagram and Facebook, is contesting a recent court ruling. The company has filed an appeal against a Los Angeles jury’s decision that accused it of creating platforms designed to addict young users, allegedly disregarding their mental health.
The appeal was lodged in Los Angeles County Superior Court, with Meta’s legal team expected to present detailed arguments in upcoming submissions. This legal battle revolves around a young woman, referred to in court as KGM and by her first name, Kaley, who claims that her childhood addiction to social media aggravated her mental health issues. The jury concluded that both Meta and YouTube, owned by Google, were negligent, contributing significantly to her distress.
Kaley was awarded $3 million in damages, with an additional $3 million recommended as punitive damages. Her attorney, Mark Lanier, expressed confidence in the appellate court’s ability to uphold the original verdict, stating their expectation for the “careful application of the law to this case.”
While the appeal process could extend over an extended period, a Meta spokesperson reiterated the company’s stance, emphasizing the complexity of teen mental health. They noted that such issues cannot be solely attributed to a single app.
Google’s representative, José Castañeda, confirmed YouTube’s intention to appeal, describing these motions as standard practice in the case’s progression.
Both Meta and YouTube had previously sought a judgment notwithstanding the verdict, a common legal maneuver by defense attorneys to overturn jury decisions, and requested a new trial. However, Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl denied these motions in June.
The case has spotlighted the legal protections tech companies enjoy under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, which shields them from liability for third-party content. Plaintiffs, however, argued that the platforms’ design features, such as “infinite scroll” and autoplay, contributed to harmful user experiences.
This landmark verdict emerges amidst a series of legal challenges for Meta. A separate jury in New Mexico recently determined that Meta’s platforms pose risks to children’s mental health and safety, resulting in a $375 million penalty. Meta has indicated plans to appeal this decision as well.
In response to these legal developments, a Meta spokesperson reaffirmed the company’s commitment to defending its practices stating, “We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously, and we remain confident in our record of protecting teens online.”
Kaley’s case is a pioneering lawsuit, potentially setting a precedent for numerous similar cases against social media companies accused of intentionally causing harm. Initially, TikTok and Snapchat’s parent company, Snap Inc., were also defendants but settled out of court for undisclosed amounts before the trial commenced.
