Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, has appealed the outcome of a significant lawsuit concerning social media addiction in Los Angeles. The company is contesting the jury’s conclusion that it designed platforms intended to engage young users without prioritizing their well-being.
Lawyers for Meta submitted an appeal notice on Tuesday at the Los Angeles County Superior Court. They will later articulate their arguments through additional court documents. The lawsuit involved a 20-year-old woman who claimed she developed an addiction to social media as a child, exacerbating her mental health problems.
The jury identified negligence by both Meta and Google-owned YouTube as a major factor causing harm to the woman, identified as KGM, with her first name Kaley. The verdict included $3 million in damages and recommended an equal amount in punitive damages. Her attorney, Mark Lanier, expressed confidence in the appellate court’s decision to uphold the trial court’s verdict.
Submitting an appeal can initiate a long process. A Meta spokesperson reiterated on Friday that teen mental health is a complex issue not attributed to a single app. Google spokesperson José Castañeda mentioned that YouTube will also appeal, following standard procedures to advance the case.
Both companies had previously filed motions following the jury’s decision, seeking to overturn the verdict and requesting a new trial. However, Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl rejected these motions in June.
Legal protections for tech companies like Meta and YouTube under Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act shield them from responsibility for content from third parties. Plaintiffs addressed platform design features like ‘infinite scroll’ and autoplay that extend user engagement, throughout their arguments. Defendants objected frequently during the five-week trial, concerning such content-related issues.
The verdict emerges amid similar legal challenges for Meta. A New Mexico jury similarly found Meta’s platforms detrimental to children’s mental health, imposing a $375 million penalty. Meta objects to this verdict and plans to appeal.
A Meta representative stated they will continue to defend their actions vigorously and believe in their efforts to protect teens online.
Kaley’s lawsuit marks a pioneering legal case, potentially influencing thousands of comparable claims alleging harm from social media design practices. Before the trial, TikTok and Snapchat’s parent company, Snap Inc., which were also defendants in the case, reached settlements for undisclosed amounts.