
July 16th, 2026
YouTube has appealed a jury verdict in a major social media addiction lawsuit in Los Angeles.
The jury found that YouTube designed its platform to hook young users without caring about their well-being.
YouTube’s lawyers filed the notice of appeal on Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Meta, also a defendant in the case, filed its own appeal less than a week earlier.
The case involved a 20-year-old woman, identified as KGM or Kaley, who said she became addicted to social media as a child.
The jury ruled that negligence by both YouTube and Meta was a major factor in causing her harm.
It awarded her $3 million in damages and recommended an additional $3 million in punitive damages.
Her lead attorney, Mark Lanier, said the legal team expects the appellate court to confirm the trial court’s verdict.
Google spokesperson José Castañeda said YouTube was planning to appeal, calling it a standard motion.
The trial judge, Carolyn B. Kuhl, denied post-trial motions from both companies for a new trial in early June.
During the trial, YouTube argued it is not a social media platform.
Both YouTube and Meta also raised questions about legal protections under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
That law shields tech companies from liability for third-party content.
Kaley’s case was the first of its kind.
The verdict could influence thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies.
TikTok and Snapchat parent Snap Inc. were also named as defendants but settled before the trial began.
July 16th, 2026

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