Arguments to begin in landmark social media addiction trial set in Los Angeles

"LOS ANGELES (AP) - The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms. Opening arguments for the first, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, begin this week. Instagram's parent company Meta and Google's YouTube will face claims that their platforms deliberately addict and harm children. TikTok and Snap, which were originally named in the lawsuit, settled for undisclosed sums."

"At the core of the case is a 19-year-old identified only by the initials "KGM," whose case could determine how thousands of other, similar lawsuits against social media companies will play out. She and two other plaintiffs have been selected for bellwether trials - essentially test cases for both sides to see how their arguments play out before a jury and what damages, if any, may be awarded, said Clay Calvert, a nonresident senior fellow of technology policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute."

"KGM claims that her use of social media from an early age addicted her to the technology and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts. Importantly, the lawsuit claims that this was done through deliberate design choices made by companies that sought to make their platforms more addictive to children to boost profits. This argument, if successful, could sidestep the companies' First Amendment shield and"

Landmark trials target major social media companies over alleged harms to children and claims that platform design deliberately fostered addiction. Opening arguments begin in Los Angeles County Superior Court, with Meta and YouTube facing plaintiffs' assertions while TikTok and Snap settled earlier. Hundreds of parents and school districts have joined related cases, and selected bellwether plaintiffs will test arguments and potential damages before juries. A central plaintiff identified as KGM alleges early social media use led to addiction, worsened depression, and suicidal thoughts. The lawsuits assert design choices aimed at increasing child engagement to boost profits and challenge legal defenses.

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