A major trial involving Meta and YouTube began on Monday in a civil court in Los Angeles. The case could set an important legal precedent for social media companies. It focuses on their responsibility toward young users.
The plaintiff’s lawyer accused the companies of designing platforms that cause addiction in children. He said Meta and YouTube built systems that intentionally keep young users engaged. According to him, this approach is driven by profit.
The case was brought by a 20-year-old woman known as Kayley GM. She claims she suffered serious mental harm after becoming addicted to social media as a child. The trial is being heard by Judge Carolyn Kuhl.
Lawyer Mark Lanier told the jury that YouTube and Instagram were not addictive by chance. He said their design encourages constant use. He explained that Instagram offers endless content that pushes users to seek social approval.
He also described how YouTube’s autoplay feature keeps users watching without a break. The algorithm studies user behavior and shows similar content repeatedly. This, he said, makes it hard for children to stop.
Lanier plans to present internal company records and scientific studies. He wants to show how these platforms affect the brain. He argued that young users are especially vulnerable to such designs.
The trial is expected to include testimony from Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg. YouTube head Neil Mohan may also appear in court. Instagram boss Adam Mosseri is likely to attend as well.
The case is closely watched across the United States. Experts say it may shape future lawsuits against social media companies. Hundreds of similar cases are already in progress.
Many lawsuits accuse platforms of causing depression, eating disorders, and self-harm. Some cases even link usage to suicide. Lawyers are using strategies once applied against tobacco companies.
Meta and YouTube reject all allegations. A YouTube spokesperson said the claims are not true. He added that protecting young users is a top priority.
The companies also argue that US law protects them from such cases. They say Section 230 limits their liability for user content. However, the court will now decide whether design choices make them responsible.
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Snapchat and TikTok were also named in the case. They settled before the trial began. The terms of those deals were not disclosed.
