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A California woman has filed a landmark lawsuit against TikTok, Snap Inc., YouTube, and Meta, claiming the platforms contributed to her mental health struggles as a minor.

Tuesday marked the start of the jury trial in the case against Meta and YouTube, while TikTok and Snap, which runs Snapchat, settled out of court prior to the trial. The plaintiff, identified only as K.G.M., alleges that the social media giants caused her depression and anxiety during her teenage years.

Experts Weigh In on Social Media’s Psychological Impact

Dr. Daniel Boeder, a child psychiatrist at Blessing Hospital, testified that social media can activate the brain’s reward circuitry in ways similar to substance abuse.

“[Social media] certainly does activate the parts of the brain that’s part of the reward circuitry of your brain,” Boeder said, noting that it has become a central concern in his evaluations of young patients.

Boeder explained that overuse can lead to withdrawal-like symptoms, including irritability, anger, anxiety, sadness, and a fear of missing out.

“Sometimes changes in mood, irritability, anger, sometimes sadness, anxiety, fear of missing out, honestly,” he said.

Guidance for Parents

Boeder emphasized that parents often struggle to understand the depth of their children’s reliance on social media. He warned that anger is not an effective response when addressing overuse.

“If parents have concerns about social media use, talk to your child about it,” he advised, encouraging open communication over confrontation.

The case has drawn attention to the growing debate over the responsibilities of social media platforms in protecting young users’ mental health.