Jury Finds Meta and YouTube Liable for Social Media Addiction as Zuckerberg and Brin Join Trump Tech Advisory Council

A California jury has held Meta and YouTube legally responsible for addicting a young woman to social media, finding the platforms' design contributed to her anxiety, body dysmorphia and suicidal thoughts. The decision — reached after a seven-week trial in Los Angeles Superior Court — coincides with the White House naming Mark Zuckerberg and Sergey Brin to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), prompting questions about timing and conflicts of interest.

Verdict and Damages

Jurors ordered Meta and YouTube to pay $3 million in compensatory damages after eight days of deliberation. The panel apportioned responsibility at 70% for Meta and 30% for YouTube. The jury will reconvene later to determine whether punitive damages should be added.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg leaves the Federal Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles after defending the company in a landmark social media addiction trial in Los Angeles, United States, on February 19, 2026. / Jon Putman/Anadolu via Getty Images

The Lawsuit

The suit was brought by a woman identified as Kaley, now 20, and her mother. They accused Meta, YouTube (owned by Google), Snap and TikTok of designing features intended to be addictive and failing to warn users about known harms. Snap and TikTok settled before trial; Meta and YouTube fought the claims in court.

Responses

A Google spokesperson told the Daily Beast the company intends to appeal the verdict. Meta released a statement saying, "We respectfully disagree with the verdict and are evaluating our legal options."

Laura Marquez-Garrett (gray blazer), plaintiffs' attorney for SMVLC (Social Media Victims Law Center), gathers with parents and family members of victims as they react to news that the jury has found Meta and YouTube liable in the social media addiction trial, outside the Los Angeles Superior Court , in Los Angeles, on March 25, 2026. / FREDERIC J. BROWN / Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images

Related Ruling

The decision follows a separate New Mexico jury ruling — announced a day earlier — that found Meta liable for misleading teenagers about the harms of Facebook and Instagram and imposed $375 million in civil penalties.

White House Appointments

In a move that raised eyebrows given the timing, the White House announced initial members of PCAST, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Google co‑founder Sergey Brin. The council — which the White House said will help ensure "all Americans thrive in the Golden Age of Innovation" — initially lists 24 members and is co‑chaired by David Sacks and Michael Kratsios.

White House “AI and Crypto Czar” David Sachs, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and President Donald Trump during a dinner at the State Dining Room of the White House on September 4, 2025. / Alex Wong/Getty Images

The announced advisory roster also includes several high-profile tech and finance leaders such as Marc Andreessen, Safra Catz, Michael Dell, Fred Ehrsam, Larry Ellison, Jensen Huang and Lisa Su.

Implications

Legal experts say the ruling could set a precedent for similar suits nationwide, potentially reshaping how platforms design features, disclose risks, and protect young users. Appeals are likely, and the outcome could influence future regulation, industry practices and corporate liability standards.

Next Steps

The companies and plaintiffs now prepare for the punitive-damages phase and for possible appeals. Meanwhile, policymakers, advocates and industry observers will be watching whether this verdict accelerates legislative or regulatory action addressing platform design and youth safety online.