US jury finds 'Instagram, YouTube design defect leads to addiction' Zandile.Khumalo Thu, 03/26/2026 - 19:27
SODWANA BAY - A social media shakedown is under way in the United States. A jury has found Meta and YouTube liable for creating products that are addictive to children. A 20-year-old plaintiff known as Kaley was awarded $6 million for harm to her mental health. Experts predict more claims are likely to flood the creators of WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Google, and YouTube for their role in creating an anxious generation. Acumen Media founder Tonya Khoury said the verdict reflects growing concern about the addictive nature of social media.
“We have generations of people that are hooked on social media as if it were an absolute drug and it does all these terrible things to their mental health,” she said.
Khoury reiterated that while it is necessary to hold tech companies accountable, parents also have to play a role by monitoring their children’s screen time. Meanwhile, Meta said teenage mental health is complex, and it will continue defending its platforms.
