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Jury at U.S. Social Media Addiction Trial Reports ‘Difficulty’ in Finding Consensus
Jurors struggle to reach consensus on Meta or YouTube liability in a landmark case that could influence thousands of similar social media addiction lawsuits, Judge warns of possible partial retrial.
- On Monday, the Los Angeles Superior Court jury reported difficulty reaching consensus on one defendant, prompting Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl to urge continued deliberations and warn that deadlock could force a partial retrial.
- This bellwether trial centers on claims by plaintiff Kaley G.M. that Meta and YouTube employed 'addictive practices,' with attorney Mark Lanier arguing the platforms operated as 'behemoths' causing mental health struggles.
- Defense attorneys contested the addiction claims, asserting that K.G.M.'s struggles stemmed from 'alleged verbal and physical abuse by her parents' rather than platform design, challenging the addiction framework itself.
- Jurors previously indicated they had moved beyond liability on Friday, querying Judge Kuhl on damage calculations; however, persistent deadlock risks a partial mistrial, delaying legal precedent for pending cases.
- Hundreds of similar lawsuits await this verdict, which explores whether Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act shields companies from product design claims, establishing precedent for litigation blaming social media for mental trauma.
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Jury struggles to reach verdict in social media addiction trial against Meta and YouTube
Jurors did not say whether the holdout relates to Meta or YouTube, but Kuhl told them to keep deliberating and warned that if they cannot reach a verdict, that part of the case will have to be retried before a new jury.Read Entire Article
Judge Tells Jurors to Keep Deliberating After They Hint of Partial Deadlock
A judge Monday told jurors to continue deliberating after the panel informed her they are having trouble reaching a verdict regarding one of the defendants in a potentially landmark lawsuit accusing social media sites of employing addictive practices, leading to mental health and other ailments. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl said the case would have to be at least partially retried if the panel deadlocks regarding the unnamed …
Coverage Details
Total News Sources45
Leaning Left7Leaning Right5Center16Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
57% Center
L 25%
C 57%
R 18%
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