New York | In a significant development in the growing legal battle over the impact of social media on young users, a California state court judge has rejected attempts by Google and Meta Platforms to secure a new trial after a jury found the companies liable for designing social media products that harmed young people.
The ruling marks another setback for the technology giants as courts and regulators increasingly scrutinize the effects of digital platforms on children and teenagers. The case is among the most closely watched lawsuits involving allegations that social media companies knowingly created products that encourage excessive use and contribute to mental health and behavioral problems among young users.
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According to court records and sources familiar with the matter, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Carolyn Kuhl denied motions filed by Meta and Google’s YouTube division seeking to overturn the jury verdict and obtain a fresh trial. The decision was made on Tuesday, although the detailed order explaining the court’s reasoning was not immediately available.
The companies had challenged a jury verdict delivered earlier this year in which jurors concluded that the social media platforms were negligently designed and contributed to harm suffered by young users. The jury also awarded damages totaling $6 million (₹57.2 crore).
The lawsuit centered on allegations that certain platform features were intentionally designed to maximize user engagement, encouraging repeated and prolonged use among children and teenagers. Plaintiffs argued that these design choices created addictive usage patterns and exposed young people to harmful psychological effects.
During the trial, lawyers representing the affected families contended that the platforms relied on algorithms, notifications, recommendation systems, and other engagement-focused tools that kept young users continuously connected. According to the plaintiffs, these features were not merely incidental aspects of the services but core components intentionally developed to increase time spent on the platforms.
The jury ultimately sided with the plaintiffs, concluding that the companies had acted negligently in the design and operation of their products. The verdict represented one of the most notable courtroom victories for families pursuing claims related to social media addiction and youth mental health concerns.
Following the verdict, both Meta and Google sought a new trial, arguing that the jury’s conclusions should not stand. Such post-trial motions are common in major civil litigation and typically challenge aspects of the proceedings, evidence, jury instructions, or legal findings.
However, Judge Kuhl’s decision means the original verdict remains intact for now. By rejecting the request for a new trial, the court has effectively preserved the jury’s findings unless the companies succeed through future appeals or other legal avenues.
The ruling comes amid increasing public and governmental attention on the role of social media platforms in the lives of young people. Over the past several years, lawmakers, educators, healthcare professionals, and parents have raised concerns about excessive screen time, online dependency, cyberbullying, sleep disruption, anxiety, depression, and other issues allegedly linked to intensive social media use.
Technology companies have consistently argued that they invest substantial resources in safety tools, parental controls, content moderation, and user well-being initiatives. They have also maintained that social media platforms provide important opportunities for communication, education, creativity, and community engagement.
Nevertheless, lawsuits involving youth mental health and alleged platform addiction continue to gain momentum across the United States. Many of these cases seek to determine whether technology companies can be held legally responsible for product designs that critics claim encourage compulsive behavior among younger users.
Legal experts say the latest ruling could influence future litigation involving digital platforms and product design. While the denial of a new trial does not conclude the broader legal debate, it reinforces the significance of the jury’s findings and keeps the spotlight on questions surrounding corporate responsibility in the digital age.
With the original verdict and $6 million damages award still in place, the case is expected to remain closely watched as further appeals and related lawsuits continue to shape the evolving legal landscape surrounding social media and youth safety.
