Landmark trial begins as Instagram and YouTube face allegations of intentionally addicting a teen, sparking global debate over social media safety, mental health, and platform accountability
In a case that lawyers, parents and tech watchdogs say could reshape how social media platforms are held accountable, a major trial involving Instagram and YouTube has begun in a California state court.
The lawsuit—one of the first of hundreds expected this year—centres on whether design elements in these apps
intentionally “hooked” a young user and contributed to lasting harm.
The plaintiff, a now‑20‑year‑old woman identified by her initials KGM, and her mother argue that features like endless scrolling, autoplay and push notifications kept her engaged at young ages and ultimately played a role in anxiety, body image issues and suicidal thoughts.
“This case is about two of the richest corporations who have engineered addiction in children’s brains,” said attorney Mark Lanier in opening statements. “The swipe, for a child, like Kaley, this motion is a handle of a slot machine. But every time she swipes, it’s not for money, but for mental stimulation.”
What the trial is about
KGM’s lawsuit—filed in 2023—targets Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook and Instagram, and Alphabet, Google’s parent company, which owns YouTube. She claims she began using YouTube at age six and Instagram at age nine, and that the platforms’ “attention‑grabbing design” made it difficult to stop using them.
Her legal team presented internal company documents they say show the firms designed features to maximise engagement among young users rather than prioritising well‑being. If successful, the case could pave the way for similar lawsuits—some 1,500 already filed—and force changes in how apps are built and regulated.
Defendants brace for a long fight
Meta and YouTube deny the allegations and say other factors may explain KGM’s struggles. A Meta spokesperson commented, “we strongly disagree with these allegations and are confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.” A YouTube representative said the lawsuit’s claims are “simply not true” and that safety and healthy experiences have been priorities for the platform.
Executives from both companies—including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Instagram head Adam Mosseri and YouTube’s Neal Mohan—are expected to testify in the coming weeks. The trial, likely to run into March, is being watched closely.
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