Los Angeles County Superior Court saw the start of a major trial Monday targeting social media giants over claims that their platforms intentionally foster addictive behavior in children. Meta, the parent company of Instagram, and YouTube, owned by Google, are facing allegations that they designed features to maximize engagement among young users, contributing to mental health issues. TikTok and Snap, originally included, settled prior to trial.
During opening statements, attorney Mark Lanier told jurors that the case was “as easy as ABC” — shorthand for “addicting the brains of children.” He argued that Meta and Google, among the world’s wealthiest companies, knowingly engineered their platforms to keep children hooked. Internal company documents were highlighted, including studies such as Meta’s “Project Myst,” which surveyed teens and parents, showing that children experiencing stress or trauma were more vulnerable to addiction, and that parental controls had limited effect.
Lanier also cited emails from YouTube staff likening the platform to a casino and Meta employees describing Instagram as “like a drug.” The trial centers on a 20-year-old plaintiff identified as KGM, whose experiences may influence similar lawsuits nationwide. KGM reportedly began using YouTube at age 6 and Instagram at age 9, posting hundreds of videos before finishing elementary school.
Plaintiffs contend that the companies deliberately designed their platforms to exploit the social validation needs of minors. “For a teenager, social validation is survival,” Lanier said, drawing parallels to tactics used by tobacco companies. Experts argue that if successful, the case could bypass typical legal protections for tech companies under the First Amendment and Section 230.
Meta and YouTube dispute the allegations, emphasizing safeguards they have implemented. Meta stated it “strongly disagrees with the allegations” and remains committed to supporting young users. Google said YouTube has always aimed to provide a safe environment for minors.
This trial is the first of multiple cases this year addressing the mental health impact of social media on children. In parallel, similar lawsuits and regulatory actions are unfolding globally, including new legislation in France, Australia, and the United Kingdom restricting children’s access to social platforms.
Executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, are expected to testify as the trial, which could last six to eight weeks, proceeds. Observers note that the outcome may shape not only corporate practices but also global approaches to child safety and social media regulation.
