WASHINGTON, DC (March 25, 2026) – The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) commended the verdict in the trial against Meta and YouTube over claims that the plaintiff, as a minor, was addicted to and suffered harm from these digital platforms. The jury has ordered Meta and YouTube to pay the plaintiff $6 million.
“Today’s landmark verdict takes a sledgehammer to the long-standing immunity Big Tech has enjoyed despite a myriad of harms social media has caused children. Both Meta and YouTube were found negligent for the social media addiction the plaintiff suffered as a child. Digital platforms have been proven to be dangerous by design and it’s time that Big Tech companies are held accountable for putting children’s safety over profit,” said Haley McNamara, Executive Director and Chief Strategy Officer, National Center on Sexual Exploitation.
“This verdict also shows the urgent need for Congress to pass the Kids Online Safety Act, the Senate version with the strong ‘Duty of Care’ provision, to ensure digital platforms are designed with child safety as a priority. Perhaps with today’s verdict and the New Mexico jury finding Meta liable for child sexual exploitation, Big Tech will finally make the necessary changes to their platforms to protect children,” McNamara said.
Meta and Google have been on NCOSE’s annual Dirty Dozen List of mainstream contributors to sexual exploitation in the past, and its 2026 Dirty Dozen List will be revealed on March 31, 2026.
About National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE)
Founded in 1962, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) is the leading national non-profit organization exposing the links between all forms of sexual exploitation such as child sexual abuse, prostitution, sex trafficking and the public health harms of pornography.
To schedule an interview with NCOSE, please contact press@ncose.com.
