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The terrible cost of the infinite scroll

Will giants such as Meta and YouTube finally be forced to design less harmful products?

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    • A jury in California has ruled that Meta and YouTube must pay financial damages to a 20-year-old who testified that beauty filters caused her serious anxiety.
    • A jury in California has ruled that Meta and YouTube must pay financial damages to a 20-year-old who testified that beauty filters caused her serious anxiety. IMAGE: FREEPIK

    Julia Angwin

    Published Fri, Mar 27, 2026 · 12:00 PM

    IT FINALLY happened: Social media companies have been held accountable for the toxicity of their algorithmic grip.

    In a first ruling of its kind, a California Superior Court jury found on Wednesday (Mar 25) that Meta and YouTube harmed a user through their addictive design choices.

    The consequences for the industry could be significant.

    Social mediaMeta PlatformsYouTubeLawsuitsRegulation

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