A Los Angeles jury just dealt a major blow to two of the world’s biggest tech companies. Meta and Google have been found liable for mental distress caused to a teenager by their platforms’ addictive design, and it’s a verdict that could reshape how social media operates in California and beyond.

The jury awarded $3 million to the plaintiff, a young woman identified as KGM, and her mother. Meta is on the hook for about 70% of that amount. But here’s the kicker: this is just the beginning. Hundreds of similar lawsuits are currently making their way through California courts, and if the tech giants keep losing, they could be facing billions in damages.

What makes this case especially significant is what came out during trial. Internal company documents revealed that executives knew their platforms were designed to be addictive and could harm teens’ mental health, yet they proceeded anyway, prioritizing profits. During testimony, even Mark Zuckerberg himself was questioned about Facebook’s business practices. One particularly damning email from 2016 showed Zuckerberg discussing how the company needed to be “very good about not notifying parents/teachers” about teens’ videos. That’s the kind of stuff that makes juries rightfully angry.

Neither company is taking this lying down. Google’s response was pretty tone-deaf, with a spokesperson claiming YouTube is “a responsibly built streaming platform, not a social media site”. Meta said they “respectfully disagree” with the verdict and are exploring appeals. But child safety advocates are celebrating what they see as a watershed moment.

“For too many years, kids have suffered immeasurable harm from social media, while the owners of these tech companies have reaped billions in profits”, said John M. Bennett, Director of the California Initiative for Technology and Democracy. He called the tech industry’s business model “fundamentally exploitative”.

This Los Angeles case isn’t isolated either. A New Mexico jury recently found Meta liable on similar claims and ordered the company to pay $375 million in damages. Another case is ongoing in federal court based in California. If these verdicts continue stacking up, tech companies will face real pressure to either settle cases or fundamentally change how they design their products.

The real question now is whether this verdict actually forces change. Will Meta and Google modify their algorithms to prioritize user wellbeing over engagement? Or will they just pay fines and continue business as usual? For Gen Z users scrolling through your feeds right now, the answer to that question could determine whether the platforms you use are actually designed with your mental health in mind, or just your data.