Key facts
- YouTube has appealed a jury verdict that found its platform's design contributed to a young woman's social media addiction.
- Meta also filed an appeal after the jury awarded the plaintiff $3 million in damages.
- The plaintiff's lawyers argued that design features like autoplay led to excessive platform use.
- YouTube's defense included the argument that its platform is not social media and that Section 230 protects it from liability for third-party content.
- TikTok and Snap settled with the plaintiff before the trial began.
YouTube has filed an appeal against a jury's verdict in a social media addiction lawsuit, challenging the finding that its platform was designed to addict young users without regard for their well-being. The notice of appeal was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court. This follows a similar appeal filed by Meta, another defendant in the case. The lawsuit centered on a 20-year-old woman, identified as Kaley, who claimed social media addiction worsened her mental health. The jury determined that negligence by both YouTube and Meta substantially contributed to her harm, awarding her $3 million in damages and recommending an additional $3 million in punitive damages. YouTube's legal team plans to present arguments in subsequent filings. A Google spokesperson stated that the appeal is a standard procedural step. The trial judge had previously denied post-trial motions from both companies seeking a new trial. During the trial, YouTube argued it is not a social media platform and that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act shields it from liability for third-party content. Plaintiff's attorneys focused on design elements like autoplay, which they contended encourage prolonged use. TikTok and Snap Inc. settled with the plaintiff before the trial commenced.