Meta Faces Legal Challenges Over Social Media Addiction
Meta, the company founded by Mark Zuckerberg, has sought substantial damages and attempted to delay bond payments following a significant ruling from a California court last month. This ruling held Meta responsible for a teenager’s addiction to social media, as referenced in legal documents reviewed.
In a case some experts are comparing to a pivotal moment in the tobacco industry, a jury in California ordered Meta and Google to pay $6 million to an individual known as KGM. The lawsuit accused Instagram and YouTube of contributing to a decline in mental health, leading to anxiety and depression.
Despite the ruling, Meta—boasting a staggering market cap of $1.7 trillion—filed a request for a delay in bond payments while it prepares to contest the verdict. According to a filing made on April 7, the company argued it shouldn’t have to post the entire bond amount.
However, Judge Carolyn Kuhl rejected this request, noting the significant amount of the judgment and Meta’s ample resources. Zuckerberg’s wealth reportedly expanded with over $200 billion generated in revenue in 2025.
Just two days later, on April 9, KGM’s legal team posted the full bond amount, just in time for the imposed deadline.
Sasha Howarth, the executive director of the Technology Oversight Project, commented, “Delaying this process feels like more harm inflicted on courageous individuals who took a stand against one of the world’s most powerful tech companies.”
A spokesperson for Meta characterized the filing as a standard procedural matter regarding timing, adding that once the deadline was established, the bond was promptly posted.
Some legal experts, like David Levin from the University of California, suggested that the attempt to delay bond payments could have been a “trial balloon” to assess the judge’s position on the matter.
Post-trial motions, according to Levin, often aim to reduce damages and can pressure plaintiffs into settling for lesser amounts rather than risk an appeal overturning the judgment.
The total $6 million awarded in the KGM case comprises $3 million for compensatory damages and $3 million in punitive damages. Meta is responsible for 70% of this, translating to $4.2 million, while Google is tasked with paying the remaining $1.8 million.
Throughout the trial, Mehta consistently denied any wrongdoing, blaming KGM’s mental health challenges on family issues rather than social media usage.
Howarth criticized this defense, stating, “The arguments presented were not just inappropriate; they highlight Meta’s views on young users of their platform. Their claims of safety are met with skepticism from many.”
Recently, in a separate case, Meta was also ordered to pay a $375 million fine in New Mexico for not adequately protecting children from online exploitation and misleading the public about the app’s safety risks.
Mehta’s spokesperson downplayed this penalty, referring to it as “a minor part of what the nation is seeking.” The second phase of this New Mexico trial is set to begin in May, with final determinations on fines still pending.
KGM’s case may inspire further lawsuits against Meta, adding to numerous existing claims alleging that the design of social media apps, such as features like infinite scrolling, is purposely addictive.
Both Meta and Google expressed disagreement with the ruling and have plans to appeal the decision.
Discussions about Zuckerberg’s vast personal wealth, estimated at $227 billion, became contentious during the trial, with Meta trying to limit inquiries into his finances while he was on the witness stand. Ultimately, the judge allowed certain questions regarding his compensation and stock but curtailed those about his overall net worth.
