New Delhi, March 30 -- In an age of unprecedented tech evolution, the law can easily fall behind the curve; all too often, legislation fails to keep pace. Yet, precedents matter. Last week, a jury in the US held Google and Meta liable for social-media platforms designed to be addictive, thus exposing underage users to health risks they left unflagged.

The news was duly welcomed with sighs of relief. At last, social media was being hauled up by the US justice system. What objections to harmful posts could not do, given how America shields free speech and social-media platforms for what users post, a lawsuit that put YouTube and Instagram in the dock has done.

A 20-year-old plaintiff was awarded damages that look tiny against the $132.2 b...