A Los Angeles jury found tech companies Meta and YouTube liable for harming a young woman's mental health due to the addictive design of their platforms, in a ruling considered historic that could set a precedent for the digital industry. The verdict determined that both companies must pay $3 million in damages to the plaintiff, a 20-year-old who claimed to have become addicted to social media like Instagram and YouTube during her childhood. The ruling also established that Meta must cover 70% of the payment, while YouTube will cover the rest. This ruling is considered a key precedent, as it is part of a series of lawsuits in the United States seeking to hold tech companies accountable for the impact of their products on minors. The court concluded that the platforms were negligent in the design and operation of their services, which contributed to the harm suffered. As established during the trial, which was accessed by the Argentine News Agency, the companies should have known that their systems could pose a risk to minors and did not adequately warn about these dangers. The jury considered that elements such as infinite scroll, auto-play, and constant notifications encourage prolonged and potentially addictive use. The case was initiated based on the lawsuit of the young woman, identified as K.G.M., who stated that she began using these platforms from a very young age and that her intensive use impacted her development and mental health. In fact, there are more than 1,500 similar lawsuits underway, which could lead to new sanctions and regulations for the sector. Upon learning of the verdict, the companies expressed their disagreement and anticipated that they will evaluate appealing the decision.
