Meta and Google sent News 12 statements saying they disagree with the verdict and plan to appeal.
Two social media giants were found by a jury Wednesday to have acted with malice when designing their platform to hook young users and awarded a woman $6 million in damages. "We have to as a parent, we have to be on top of them," says Huntington resident Juan Rivas, who has two young kids.
"They're asking about it already. TikTok, YouTube because they talk with their classmates in school." Parents we spoke to say they're worried kids are becoming addicted. "She's on social media, on instagram. On Snapchat. Yeah, it's tough because I try to limit some of their screen time," says Plainview resident Gabriel Sandler. "I was happy. You know, social media needs to be held accountable." "People spend four and five hours scrolling every day on, you know, Tiktok and Instagram," says Bethpage resident Sarah Casey. Experts say kids are being exposed to social media as young as 6 to 9 years old which is when the developing brain is more vulnerable to addiction. "Social media platforms are designed to be addictive. There's infinite scrolling, there's no stopping point. And the autoplay, removes the user control," says licensed clinical social worker Carin Winter. Winter says kids are scrolling at all times of the day, especially at night. "The damage done at night is worse because they're looking at their phone after 9 p.m. because their melatonin is not regulating in the way it should to prepare them for sleep," says Winter. Meta and a Google sent News 12 statements saying they disagree with the verdict and plan to appeal.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New details about forgotten Long Island hero killed in WWII uncovered — but one nagging mystery remainsAn air traffic controller at New York’s LaGuardia Airport is recorded saying he “messed up” after a crash between a landing Canada Air jet and a fire truck crossing the runway on the ground. The accident left two dead and scores more injured. President Trump says talks with Iran to end the war have been “perfect” but Iran says they're non-existent.
Read more »
7 On Your Side helps Long Island mother get new wheelchair after theft at Mets gameA Long Island mother says her wheelchair was stolen at a New York Mets game, leaving her stranded at the ballpark and struggling for months afterward, until 7 On Your Side stepped in.
Read more »
Jury reaches verdict on Instagram and YouTube in social media addiction showdownToday's Video Headlines: 03/25/26
Read more »
Jury finds Instagram and YouTube liable in landmark social media addiction trialThe decision came after more than 40 hours of deliberation across nine days.
Read more »
Jury finds Instagram and YouTube liable in landmark social media addiction trial in Los AngelesA jury found Meta and YouTube liable in a lawsuit that aimed to hold social media platforms responsible for harm to children using their services.
Read more »
Instagram, YouTube found liable in lawsuit alleging they were designed to addict kidsJurors handed down a landmark decision in Los Angeles County Superior Court in a civil trial over a lawsuit filed by a Chico woman who charged social media companies built apps to hook young people.
Read more »