A landmark trial began this week in Los Angeles County Superior Court with a dramatic accusation against two of the world’s biggest tech companies. Lawyers for the plaintiff told a jury that Meta Platforms (owner of Facebook and Instagram) and Google’s YouTube deliberately designed social media platforms to hook children and teens, causing addiction and long-term harm.
The case centers on a 20-year-old woman identified as Kaley G.M., who began using YouTube at age six and Instagram at age nine. Her legal team says that internal documents show the companies built features that exploit young users’ psychological vulnerabilities. In opening statements, plaintiff attorney Mark Lanier told jurors “this case is about two of the richest corporations in history who have engineered addiction in children’s brains.”
Lanier said the trial will show that the apps were designed to maximize engagement through addictive elements. He cited internal research, including a Meta study called “Project Myst,” which showed certain teens were especially vulnerable. Lanier said Meta and Google knowingly targeted these users and kept them engaged even when it harmed their mental health. “For a teenager, social validation is survival,” he told the court, referring to features like “like” buttons that reward repeated use.
The lawsuit draws comparisons to historical litigation against Big Tobacco, where manufacturers were held responsible for knowingly selling harmful products. Lawyers for the plaintiff say social media platforms used similar behavioral design tactics to keep children and teens glued to screens.
Meta and Google deny the allegations. Meta’s defense argues that Kaley G.M.’s mental health struggles have other causes and point to efforts the company has made to protect young users. Google representatives have called the claims “simply not true” and said YouTube works to provide a “safer, healthier experience” for youth.
This trial is the first of many similar cases that could reshape how tech giants are held accountable for the design and impact of their products. There are more than 2,000 related lawsuits nationwide, with families, school districts and state attorneys general alleging social media harms children’s mental and emotional wellbeing. If a jury finds the companies liable, it could erode long-standing legal protections for internet platforms under Section 230 of the U.S. Communications Decency Act.
Experts say the outcome could trigger major changes in social media regulation and push companies to redesign features that critics say fuel compulsive use. Executives including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri are expected to testify as the trial unfolds over the next several weeks.
