tech
February 27, 2026
"I wanted to be on it all the time," plaintiff says in landmark social media addiction trial
A young woman who is battling against social media giants took the stand Thursday to testify about her experience using the platforms as she was growing up, saying she was on social media "all day long" as a child.
TL;DR
- Plaintiff Kaley began using YouTube at age 6 and Instagram at age 9, spending "all day long" on social media as a child.
- She alleges that social media platforms, particularly features like notifications and filters, were deliberately designed to be addictive, contributing to her depression and suicidal thoughts.
- Defendants Meta and YouTube argue that Kaley's mental health struggles predated her social media use and that she turned to the platforms as a coping mechanism.
- The case is a bellwether trial, meaning its outcome could significantly impact thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies.
- Testimony from social media executives Adam Mosseri and Mark Zuckerberg has included acknowledgments that users may use platforms more if they are valuable, though they questioned whether clinical addiction to social media is possible.
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