Trial over alleged AI-driven addiction to Instagram and YouTube
A California court began trial in a case alleging that Meta and Alphabet knowingly designed Instagram and YouTube to addict young users, harming their mental health. The case is considered a bellwether that could shape future litigation against social media platforms over addiction claims.
What happened
A jury was confirmed in Los Angeles Superior Court to hear allegations that Meta and Alphabet knowingly designed Instagram and YouTube to addict young users. A 20-year-old woman identified as K.G.M. claims she became addicted to social media as a child, using YouTube from age six and opening an Instagram account at age 11, suffering severe mental harm as a result.
Jury selection took six days and was marked by tension over potential jurors' prior views of Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg. Meta's lawyers sought to remove jurors deemed overly hostile to Facebook and Instagram, while plaintiff's lawyers dismissed potential jurors who attributed young users' mental health issues to parental failure rather than platform design.
Reported impact
The plaintiff reportedly suffered severe mental harm due to addiction to social media as a child.
Index analysis
The case is termed a bellwether proceeding, with its outcome expected to set precedent for numerous similar lawsuits across the United States. TikTok and Snapchat, also initially accused, have since settled for an undisclosed amount.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.