A Los Angeles jury found Meta Platforms and YouTube negligent in the design and operation of their platforms, awarding K.G.M., a former minor, $3 million in compensatory and punitive damages for social media-related harm.

Meta was found 70% responsible and YouTube 30%, with the jury concluding the companies failed to warn users about the addictive nature of Instagram and YouTube.

The trial is the first in a wave of lawsuits, representing over 1,600 plaintiffs, targeting tech companies for social media addiction and mental health impacts on children.

Meta and YouTube plan to appeal, arguing their platforms are not purposefully addictive and pointing to other factors affecting the plaintiff, NBC News has reported.

Legal experts say the verdict sets a precedent for future cases and signals growing accountability for tech companies over the foreseeable harms of social media.