A jury in Los Angeles, United States found Google's Meta and YouTube platforms liable in a "social media addiction" trial.
A woman in the case claimed her son suffered from depression and anxiety stemming from uncontrolled social media use since he was a child.
According to local media, the jury ruled that the two companies were negligent in designing and operating their products, and said the companies failed to adequately warn users about the dangers associated with YouTube and Instagram, which Meta manages.
The jury also found that negligence was a "substantial factor" in causing the plaintiff's harm and awarded compensatory damages of US$3 million (US$1 = Rp16,905), with responsibility split 70 percent for Meta and 30 percent for YouTube.
In addition, an additional $3 million in punitive damages was also imposed on the companies, with Meta bearing 70 percent of the amount, according to the report.
Both companies indicated their disagreement with the ruling and would appeal.
"Teenager mental health is complex and cannot be attributed to a single app," a Meta spokesperson said, as quoted by NBC News.
Meta also stated that they will continue to defend themselves and are confident in their track record of protecting teenagers in the digital world.
Meta and Google have long denied that their products are inherently addictive and thus constitute legal liability, arguing they provide tools for parents and teens, publish safety research, and comply with existing regulations.
