A game-changing moment for social media - what next for big tech after landmark addiction verdict?

A jury in LA has delivered a damning verdict for two of the world's most popular digital platforms, Instagram and YouTube. It ruled these apps are addictive and were deliberately engineered to be so, with their owners found negligent in safeguarding young users.

This marks a significant moment for Silicon Valley with implications that stretch globally. Meta and Google are now liable for $6 million in damages to Kaley, a young woman whose claims include suffering from body dysmorphia, depression, and suicidal thoughts linked to her time on these platforms.

Both companies have announced intentions to appeal the decision, arguing that a single app cannot be held solely accountable for a broader mental health crisis among teens.

Commentators have noted the ruling as an indication that the era of impunity is over, with Dr. Mary Franks, a law professor at George Washington University, calling it a game-changing moment that could redefine how social media operates.

Meta's former employee Arturo Bejar warned years ago about the dangers social networks pose to children, suggesting the platforms have transformed from tools that users control to ones that exploit user engagement.

Experts likened this case to a big tobacco moment for tech companies, hinting at future regulations that could restrict advertising, mandate health warnings, or entirely ban access for underage users. As digital environments increasingly intertwine with issues of mental wellbeing, many countries, including the UK, are reviewing their legislative responses to protect young users.

In the wake of Kaley’s victory, other pending legal challenges against social media platforms may follow, reflecting a growing scrutiny of the ways these platforms are designed to maximize user interaction at the possible expense of mental health. Critics argue that legislative change is overdue, as many express the urgent need for policies that prioritize mental health over profit.

All eyes will be on how this ruling influences policies on social media use among children, as public and political pressure mounts for a reevaluation of safety protocols and platform accountability.