The landmark decision in an LA court may go beyond immediate impacts on defendants Meta and YouTube.

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A Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube liable for designing addictive platforms that harmed a young woman's mental health, awarding $6m in damages. Both companies plan to appeal. The verdict is seen as a landmark moment that could trigger thousands of similar personal injury lawsuits against social media companies including Snap and TikTok. Legal experts warn the cases pose a potentially existential financial threat to the industry, while Meta and Google are downplaying the ruling's significance. Eight more bellwether trials are expected in the coming months, and Meta is simultaneously dealing with a separate $375m verdict related to child exploitation.

Silicon Valley reeling from social media addiction trial verdict