Social media, addiction, and youth mental health

In March 2026, a California jury awarded $US 6 million to a woman who argued Google and Meta's social media products were defectively designed and compulsive use during childhood caused her depression and anxiety. That same month, a New Mexico jury concluded that Meta misled consumers about the safety of its products and endangered youth, resulting in penalties of $US 375 million. Although social media companies' liability is newly being litigated, the allegations in many cases—that companies knowingly engineered products that foster addictive use among youth—echo claims that shaped litigation against another industry: Tobacco.