Social media addiction trial verdict marks ‘critical milestone' in fight against Big Tech, says activist

Record ID: 2369591

  • Title: Social media addiction trial verdict marks ‘critical milestone' in fight against Big Tech, says activist
  • Date: 25th March 2026
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (MARCH 25, 2026) (REUTERS) WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY KAROLINE LEAVITT ENTERING ROOM AND APPROACHING LECTERN (SOUNDBITE) (English) WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY, KAROLINE LEAVITT, SAYING: “The remaining elements of the Iranian regime have another opportunity to cooperate with President Trump, permanently abandon their nuclear ambitions and ce
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Julie Scelfo Mothers Against Media Addiction Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA) social media addiction social media trial
  • Location: VARIOUS
  • City: VARIOUS
  • Country: US
  • Topics: North America,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA004741725032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Alphabet's Google and Meta were found liable on Wednesday (March 25) for designing platforms that are dangerous for kids and teens, in a landmark verdict that could force tech firms to rethink how they defend themselves against safety claims.
    The verdict could mark a turning point in the global backlash against their platforms' perceived mental health harms to youth, more than two decades after the emergence of social media.
    Julie Scelfo, the founder and executive director of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA), said that the verdict marked a ‘very critical milestone in the fight against Big Tech.’ 
    “We know that people, ordinary citizens and lawmakers will no longer stand for them exploiting children for profit,” Scelfo told Reuters on Wednesday (March 25) “This is just the beginning of what I see as the new path forward for how we think about these products.” 
    The jury found Meta liable for $4.2 million in damages and Google for $1.8 million, small amounts for two of the world's most valuable companies. Meta said in January it expects its capital spending for 2026 to be between $115 billion and $135 billion. Alphabet said the same month it expects to spend between $175 billion and $185 billion in 2026.
    The case involves a 20-year-old woman, a minor when the case began who is known in court by her first name Kaley. She said she became addicted to Google's YouTube and Meta's Instagram at a young age because of their attention-grabbing design. The jury found Google and Meta were negligent in the design of both apps and failed to warn about their dangers.
    Meta disagrees with the verdict and its lawyers are "evaluating our legal options," a company spokesperson said. Google plans to appeal, said company spokesperson José Castañeda.
    Snap and TikTok were also defendants in the trial. Both settled with the plaintiff before it began. Terms of the agreements were not disclosed.
    “Today's decision is really a turning point, and the next step is for lawmakers to enact safeguards that protect kids and make sure that there are enforcement of these safeguards,” Scelfo said. 
    (Production: Alexandra Sarabia)
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register