New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is praising a landmark jury verdict that found social media giants Meta and YouTube liable for creating products that contributed to harmful and addictive behavior among minors.
In a statement released Wednesday, Hochul called the decision “a victory for kids and parents across the nation,” pointing to ongoing concerns about the impact of social media on young users.
The verdict, handed down by a California jury, found both companies negligent in the design or operation of their platforms, concluding that those designs were a substantial factor in causing harm to a young user who alleged addiction and worsening mental health.
Jury finds platforms contributed to harm
The case stems from a lawsuit brought by a 20-year-old plaintiff who said her use of Instagram and YouTube beginning in childhood led to addiction and contributed to depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.
Jurors determined that Meta and Google, YouTube’s parent company, either knew or should have known their platforms posed risks to minors and failed to adequately warn users.
The jury awarded $3 million in compensatory damages, with Meta responsible for 70% and YouTube 30%. Additional punitive damages could still be determined.
The decision is considered one of the first major legal rulings holding social media companies accountable for the effects of their platforms on children and could influence hundreds of similar cases nationwide.
Hochul highlights New York’s actions
Hochul used the moment to highlight New York’s efforts to regulate social media and protect children online.
“I’ve heard firsthand from our young people about the harms posed by addictive social media algorithms,” she said, referencing the state’s 2024 SAFE for Kids Act, which restricts certain algorithmic features for minors.
She also pointed to additional steps taken by the state, including:
- Banning phones in schools statewide
- Creating safeguards for AI “companions”
- Proposing new protections against online predators, scams, and harmful AI chatbots
Hochul described these measures as part of a broader effort to address evolving risks in the digital age.
Companies push back, plan appeals
Both Meta and Google have said they disagree with the verdict and plan to appeal.
A spokesperson for Meta said teen mental health is “profoundly complex” and cannot be attributed to a single platform, while Google argued the case mischaracterizes YouTube as a social media platform rather than a streaming service.
The ruling comes amid growing scrutiny of social media companies at both the state and federal level, with lawmakers increasingly focused on how platform design—particularly algorithms—affects young users.
Ongoing debate over tech accountability
Hochul signaled that New York will continue to push for stricter protections.
“As the digital age gets more complex day by day, I’ll never stop fighting to protect our kids,” she said.
The case adds momentum to a broader national debate over the role of tech companies in safeguarding minors, and whether new regulations—or further legal action—will reshape how platforms are designed and used.
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