LOS ANGELES: A major court case has begun that could change how social media companies face legal claims. The trial focuses on youth addiction and its impact on mental health.
Meta Platforms, TikTok, and YouTube will appear in court this week. The case is taking place in Los Angeles County Superior Court. It comes as public concern grows about children’s screen time and online safety.
The lawsuit was filed by a 19-year-old woman from California. Court papers identify her as K.G.M. She says she became addicted to social media as a child. She claims the design of the apps kept her online for long hours.
The plaintiff says this behavior caused depression and suicidal thoughts. She wants the companies to accept responsibility for the harm. Jury selection will begin on Tuesday.
This is the first trial among thousands of similar cases across the country. Many families have filed lawsuits over youth addiction linked to social media use. Lawyers say this case will test if tech firms can be held liable.
A key issue in the trial is federal law. The law often protects platforms from responsibility for user content. Meta and TikTok say this law shield them from legal claims.
Legal experts say a verdict against the firms could weaken that defense. It may allow more lawsuits to move forward. The issue may later reach the Supreme Court.
Matthew Bergman, the plaintiff’s lawyer, said the case opens new legal grounds. He said juries may now question how platforms design their products.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify. Meta plans to argue that its apps did not cause the plaintiff’s problems. The company said many factors affect mental health.
Snap was also named in the lawsuit. The company settled the case on January 20. It did not share the details of the agreement.
YouTube said its platform differs from Instagram and TikTok. Company leaders said video sharing should not face the same legal claims. TikTok declined to comment on its legal plan.
As the trial begins, the companies are working to shape public opinion. They have launched tools for parents to limit screen time. They also run safety programs in schools.
Meta has sponsored workshops on teen online safety since 2018. TikTok has supported similar events through parent groups. Google works with Girl Scouts to teach digital safety skills.
Critics say these efforts may confuse parents. Advocacy groups warn that youth addiction remains a serious risk. Read our full update on WhatsApp Users Can Soon Try Meta AI’s Thinking Mode: Here’s What to Know to learn how the new feature will work.
This trial may decide how court’s view youth addiction in the digital age. The outcome could affect future cases and tech policies.
