Juries Find Meta, Google Liable in Key Test Cases Over Harm to Children

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Juries in California and New Mexico have found Meta and Google liable in separate lawsuits accusing the tech giants of harming children through their social media platforms. The verdicts challenge the legal shield provided by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, potentially setting up an appeals fight that could reshape how the law protects tech companies from liability.

Why it matters

These verdicts pierce the long-standing legal shield of Section 230, which has protected tech companies from liability over user-generated content. By focusing on platform design decisions rather than just content, the plaintiffs have found a potential path around this liability shield. The outcomes of the appeals could have broad implications, not just for social media companies but for a wide range of online platforms that host content used by children.

The details

In the California case, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and Google liable for a young woman's depression and suicidal thoughts after she became addicted to Instagram and YouTube at a young age, ordering them to pay a combined $6 million in damages. In a separate New Mexico case, jurors ordered Meta to pay $375 million after finding the company misled users about the safety of its products for young users and enabled the sexual exploitation of children on its platforms.

• On March 25, 2026, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and Google liable.
• On March 24, 2026, a New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million.

What’s next

The verdicts are expected to be appealed by Meta and Google, with the appeals likely to center on the scope of Section 230 protections. The outcomes of these appeals could have broad implications for a wide range of online platforms that host content used by children.