Two US juries have found Meta and YouTube liable for hundreds of millions in damages for harming minors through their platforms, challenging the typical legal protections tech companies enjoy under Section 230 and the First Amendment. The rulings raise fundamental questions about whether social media platforms are not just harmful but illegally harmful, and whether companies should be held financially responsible. While the decisions could mark a significant shift in platform liability and child safety regulation, both companies are appealing, leaving the ultimate impact uncertain.
Background
Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act has historically shielded online platforms from liability for user-generated content, while the First Amendment protects free speech rights. These legal frameworks have been central to the growth of social media companies.
- Source
- The Verge
- Published
- Mar 28, 2026 at 10:00 PM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10