A landmark trial against the biggest social media platforms has begun in Los Angeles. The plaintiff, now twenty years old and identified by the initials K.G.M., accuses the tech giants of intentionally designing apps in a way that causes addiction. The case concerns the services Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok. This is the first such clash before a jury that could define the legal liability of the Big Tech sector for the mental health of the younger generation.

Allegations of Intentional Addiction

The plaintiff accuses the platforms of using mechanisms such as endless scrolling, which led to her depression and anxiety disorders from early childhood.

Snapchat and TikTok Settlements

The companies behind the Snapchat and TikTok apps reached a settlement with the plaintiff, avoiding a trial before a jury in Los Angeles.

Testimony from Big Tech Leaders

The trial is expected to feature the personal participation of Mark Zuckerberg, head of Meta, defending the business model of Instagram against allegations of harmfulness.

A trial that could become a turning point for the entire tech industry has begun in California. The plaintiff, known as K.G.M., claims her childhood was ruined by the mechanisms used in social media apps. According to the case files, she started using YouTube at just six years old, and soon after created an account on Instagram, violating the age limits in place. The trial aims to prove whether algorithms and features like endless scrolling were created deliberately to trap users in a cycle of addiction. The alleged consequences for the plaintiff were severe depression, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders. In 1998, the American tobacco industry was forced to reach a $206 billion settlement after it was proven to have hidden knowledge about the addictive properties of nicotine and deliberately targeted advertising at minors.The legal situation is dynamic. The owners of the Snapchat and TikTok platforms decided to reach a confidential settlement with the plaintiff a few weeks before the trial began. However, Meta (owner of Instagram) and Google (owner of YouTube) have announced they will fight the case in court. „Instagram is not addictive, though we admit it can cause some health problems.” — Adam Mosseri It is anticipated that Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, will give crucial testimony. Experts compare this clash to historic battles with tobacco companies, which ultimately had to pay billions in compensation for hiding the harmfulness of their products. Outside the courthouse in Los Angeles, groups of parents gathered carrying photos of children who had taken their own lives. They claim destructive content and algorithms played a key role in these tragedies. Although the K.G.M. case does not concern suicide, it has become a symbol of broader social resistance to the impunity of Big Tech. The platforms' defenders argue that responsibility for screen time lies with parents, and that the apps themselves offer parental control tools. The verdict of the jury in this case could pave the way for thousands of similar class-action lawsuits, posing a real threat to business models based on maximizing user engagement time.

Mentioned People

  • Mark Zuckerberg — CEO of Meta, who is expected to testify in the trial concerning the addictive nature of Instagram.
  • Adam Mosseri — Head of Instagram, who rejects accusations that the app causes addiction.