YouTube, Meta reject “addictive design” verdict as calls mount for wider reform

YouTube and Meta have vowed to appeal a landmark US verdict that found their platforms contributed to harm – in a move that could fundamentally reshape how social media products are designed and regulated.

The tech platforms were found liable by a California jury on Wednesday for negligence in the design and operation of their services, marking a major legal challenge to the attention-driven model underpinning the creator economy.

The case centred on a 20-year-old woman known as Kaley, who said years of compulsive use of Instagram and YouTube from childhood led to serious mental health issues.

Jurors found that the platforms’ design played a substantial role in the harm she experienced, with lawyers pointing to features such as recommendation systems and prolonged use.

Both companies were also found to have failed to provide adequate warnings about the risks associated with prolonged use.

In a statement to The Daily Influence, Google said it would appeal the decision.

“We disagree with the verdict and plan to appeal. This case misunderstands YouTube, which is a responsibly built streaming platform, not a social media site,” said José Castañeda, a spokesperson at Google.

Meta also signalled it would challenge the ruling, telling the BBC that teen mental health is complex and cannot be linked to a single app.

“We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously as every case is different, and we remain confident in our record of protecting teens online,” the company said.

Mounting scrutiny 

Meanwhile, calls are growing for tougher action against tech platforms, particularly around their impact on vulnerable users.

In a statement posted on their website, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, said the ruling had “changed the conversation about tech accountability forever,” adding: “The floodgates are now open. There will be more cases, more demands for reform, and more insistence on responsibility.”

If upheld on appeal, the ruling could force platforms to rethink core features – from infinite scroll and algorithm-driven feeds to how they protect younger users.

That matters for the creator economy, where growth and earnings are closely tied to how long people stay on apps and what content gets recommended.

It also comes as governments are already trying to limit usage through measures like social media bans – though early data suggests those efforts may not be working as intended.