Google and Meta are defending themselves in a landmark Los Angeles trial over allegations that platforms like YouTube and Instagram were deliberately designed to addict children. The case, centered on a 20-year-old plaintiff known as “KGM,” could set precedent for thousands of lawsuits and reshape the future of social media.
A historic trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court has placed Google and Meta under scrutiny, with jurors tasked to decide whether social media platforms intentionally engineered addictive features harmful to children. The case, described by experts as the “Big Tobacco moment” for tech, focuses on whether design elements like infinite scroll and autoplay were deliberate strategies to exploit young users.
Plaintiffs argue that these features caused severe mental health issues, while defense lawyers insist platforms are neutral tools, not addiction machines. TikTok and Snap, originally named in the lawsuit, settled earlier, leaving Meta and Google as the primary defendants. The outcome of this bellwether trial could influence thousands of similar cases nationwide.
Major Takeaways
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Landmark trial compares social media to Big Tobacco in terms of addiction risks
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Plaintiff “KGM” claims mental health harm from early social media use
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Allegations focus on infinite scroll and autoplay features
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TikTok and Snap settled out of court, Meta and Google remain defendants
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Verdict could reshape legal liability and platform design globally
Conclusion
This trial represents a turning point in tech accountability. If jurors side with plaintiffs, social media companies may face sweeping changes in design, regulation, and liability—potentially redefining how platforms operate for future generations.
Sources: Associated Press (WTOP News), CBS News, Tech Brew, AFP