Following the verdict, both companies defended their practices and emphasized the complexity of the issue.
Meta said:
“Teen mental health is profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app.
“We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously as every case is different, and we remain confident in our record of protecting teens online.”
A spokesperson for Google added:
“This case misunderstands YouTube, which is a responsibly built streaming platform, not a social media site.”
With appeals already planned, the legal fight is far from over. The case has intensified the global debate around children’s safety online and the responsibility of major tech platforms.
As the situation develops, the ruling — and the strong reactions it has prompted — signals that scrutiny of social media companies is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
