A major court case has begun in California that could change how social media companies are held responsible for the harm their platforms may cause. The trial focuses on claims that popular apps were designed to keep young users addicted, even at the cost of their mental health.
Teen Plaintiff Takes on Big Tech
The case was filed by a 19 year old woman known in court as KGM. She says she became addicted to social media as a teenager because of how the platforms were built. According to her claim, features like endless scrolling, constant alerts, and content recommendations kept pulling her back in and worsened her mental health.
Companies named in the lawsuit include Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, and Google, which runs YouTube. Snapchat was also part of the case but settled with the plaintiff before the trial began.
A Legal Turning Point for Social Media Companies
This trial is important because it challenges a legal shield tech companies have relied on for years. That protection comes from Section 230, a US law that generally prevents platforms from being held responsible for what users post.
This case is different. It is not about user content. Instead, it focuses on the platforms themselves and how their algorithms and design choices influence behavior.
Executives and Internal Evidence Under Scrutiny
Jurors are expected to see internal company documents that have mostly stayed out of public view. Legal experts say this evidence could show how much importance companies place on keeping users online longer.
Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify early in the trial. In the past, he has said that research does not clearly prove social media causes poor mental health outcomes in young people. Still, experts note that senior tech leaders often struggle when questioned in court.
Growing Pressure Around the World
The trial comes as social media companies face increasing criticism from governments and families. In the United States, many states have already sued Meta, accusing it of downplaying the risks.
Other countries are also taking action. Australia has introduced a ban on social media use for children under 16. The United Kingdom has suggested it may follow with similar rules.
