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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Technology
Sanya Mansoor

Human rights groups cheer ‘watershed’ verdict in social media addiction trial

A group of women embracing each other on the steps of a court.
Laura Marquez-Garrett (center), a plaintiffs’ attorney, celebrates with family members of victims to news that the jury has found Meta and YouTube liable in the social media addiction trial, on 25 March 2026. Photograph: Frederic J Brown/AFP/Getty Images

The verdict in a landmark social media trial that Meta and YouTube deliberately designed addictive products has sparked calls for reform across borders. International human rights and tech freedom groups issued statements after the decision, praising jurors for holding social media companies accountable for harms to children and urging tech giants to change their design features to ensure children are safe.

Amnesty International said in a statement on Thursday that “this court decision is clear: these platforms are unsafe by design and meaningful change is urgently needed”.

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