The Kaley G. M. Social Media Trial: What Happened, and What Comes Next?

Episode notes

Kevin Szczepanski examines the landmark Kaley G. M. trial, in which a Los Angeles jury awarded $6 million against Google and Meta for harms allegedly caused by YouTube and Instagram use during Kaley’s childhood. This episode explains how the jurors were persuaded to focus not on user generated content but on allegedly addictive platform design features, such as algorithms, engagement loops, and filters. The verdict’s broader significance lies in its implications for thousands of similar pending cases, increased settlement pressure on platforms, and a shifting legal and public focus on social media product design rather than simply content.

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