A landmark trial accusing major social media companies of causing addiction and mental health harm in young users began this week in Los Angeles County Superior Court, marking a major moment in the national debate over tech platforms and youth wellbeing, reported NBC Los Angeles.
The civil case, brought by a 19-year-old plaintiff identified only by her initials, K.G.M., alleges that Meta's Instagram, ByteDance's TikTok and Google's YouTube were intentionally designed to hook children and teenagers, according to ABC News. Plaintiffs claim the platforms use tactics such as infinite scrolling and autoplay to keep young users engaged for longer periods.
"This week marks the first time these companies will face a jury over claims they deliberately addict young people for profit," ABC News reported, citing legal experts.
What the lawsuit says
According to court filings reviewed by WYPR, the plaintiff says she began using social media apps at a young age and developed a "compulsion to engage" with platforms that she and her legal team say were engineered to maximize time spent scrolling, watching, and interacting. The lawsuit compares platform design features to addictive technologies like slot machines, as noted in court documents reported by WYPR.
If the plaintiffs succeed, they could weaken legal defenses that have historically protected tech companies from liability, including Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, reported The Journal.
Who's involved and what's at stake
Unlike many cases that settle before reaching trial, this lawsuit is expected to run six to eight weeks, according to NBC Los Angeles, and could involve testimony from senior executives at the companies.
Snapchat's parent company, Snap Inc., reportedly settled out of court for an undisclosed amount, leaving Meta, TikTok and YouTube as the main defendants, NBC Los Angeles reported.
Legal analysts told Morning Brew that the outcome could influence thousands of similar lawsuits across the country, including cases brought by school districts and state attorneys general.
Why the case matters
This trial comes amid growing concern among parents, educators and lawmakers about screen time, youth mental health trends and the role of algorithms in shaping online behavior, a topic Morning Brew reported is driving new legislative interest in regulating addictive app design.
The companies have pushed back, arguing their platforms include safety measures and that youth mental health is affected by many factors beyond social media, reported Breitbart, which noted the platforms' statements and public safety initiatives.
What happens next
Observers say the case could reshape how platforms approach features like infinite scrolling, autoplay and push notifications, all central to the addiction claims, as reported by Morning Brew.
Additional trials involving related claims are scheduled later this year, including consolidated federal cases representing broader plaintiff groups, reported ABC News.
For families, educators and policymakers, the trial is more than legal theory, it's part of a broader national reckoning over the role of social media in the lives of young Americans.
