tech
February 10, 2026
Social media companies accused of "addicting the brains of children" as trial begins
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 statements in one such trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court began on Monday.
TL;DR
- Meta (Instagram) and Google (YouTube) are facing landmark trials accused of deliberately addicting and harming children.
- Plaintiffs argue that the companies engineered addictive features, using internal documents and studies to support claims.
- Specific examples cited include internal communications likening YouTube to a casino and Instagram to a drug, with employees acting as 'pushers'.
- The case of a 20-year-old plaintiff, identified as KGM, is a bellwether trial that could influence thousands of similar lawsuits.
- Lawyers for the plaintiffs compare social media companies' tactics to those of the tobacco industry, highlighting design features aimed at maximizing youth engagement for advertising revenue.
- Companies dispute the claims, citing safeguards and arguing they are not liable for third-party content.
- Similar lawsuits are progressing in New Mexico and federal court, involving school districts.
- Other countries, like France and Australia, are enacting or considering laws to restrict social media use for minors.
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