A jury in Los Angeles has found Meta Platforms (owner of Facebook and Instagram) and Google (owner of YouTube) liable in a high-profile case alleging that their platforms were deliberately designed to be addictive and caused harm to young users.

The verdict, reached late Tuesday, awarded millions of dollars in damages to the plaintiffs. Lawyers for the families argued that the companies’ algorithms prioritized engagement over user well-being, contributing to mental health issues among children and teenagers.

Meta and Google have not yet commented publicly on the verdict but are expected to appeal. The decision has renewed calls in Washington and state capitals for stricter regulation of social media platforms.

Legal experts describe the ruling as a potential precedent for similar lawsuits pending across the country.