Meta and YouTube Face Trial in U.S. Over Alleged Addiction of Children to Digital Platforms

A U.S. court has begun hearing a closely watched lawsuit against Meta Platforms and Google’s YouTube, examining whether the technology giants deliberately designed algorithms and content to make children addicted to their digital platforms.

The trial is taking place in Los Angeles, where the court is assessing claims that the companies intentionally targeted minors with features that encourage compulsive use, leading to long-term harm.

Background of the Case and Allegations

The lawsuit was filed by a 20-year-old woman identified under the pseudonym K.G.M. According to court filings, she began using YouTube at the age of six and Instagram at the age of nine.

Her lawyers argue that specially designed content and recommendation systems aimed at underage users caused her to develop severe social media addiction, which they say has had lasting negative effects on her mental health and overall life.

TikTok and Snapchat Reach Settlements

TikTok and Snapchat were initially named as defendants in the case. However, both companies reached confidential settlements with the plaintiff before the trial began and were removed from the lawsuit.

The settlement amounts have not been disclosed, though legal sources say the deals involved substantial payments.

Meta and YouTube Reject Claims

Meta has denied wrongdoing, arguing that “social media addiction” is not a scientifically established medical condition. The company has also sought to attribute the plaintiff’s mental health challenges to personal and external factors unrelated to its platforms.

YouTube has likewise rejected all allegations, saying it does not design its products to harm young users.

What Happens Next

The trial is expected to continue for several weeks. Analysts say senior executives, including Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri, could be called to testify.

Legal experts describe the case as potentially landmark. A ruling in favor of the plaintiff could force major changes to how social media platforms operate globally, particularly in the design of algorithms and content aimed at children and teenagers.

The outcome is being closely watched by regulators, parents’ groups and the technology industry worldwide.