children

On March 25, 2026, a Los Angeles County jury in California’s Superior Court returned a $6 million verdict in favor of a minor child Plaintiff, K.G.M., against two major social media platforms. The jury awarded Plaintiff both punitive and compensatory damages.1 The negligence claims in the case centered on the allegation that the Defendants’ “addictive” product designs resulted in harm to the Plaintiff. The claim was that the platforms themselves caused the decline in the Plaintiff’s mental health.

On June 21, 2023, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff introduced the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act (the “Act”) (Senate Bill 2073), which is legislation focused on online experiences of minors. Recently passed by both the House and Senate, the Act soon awaits President Biden’s review. If signed into law, it will impose significant obligations on online gaming and media platforms, particularly those serving users under 17.

The recent wave of lawsuits against TikTok by over a dozen states and the District of Columbia[1] marks a significant moment in the ongoing scrutiny of social media platforms and their impact on youth mental health. The lawsuits allege that TikTok’s design and algorithm are intentionally addictive, contributing to various psychological harms among young users.