US Trials Target Social Media Giants Over Alleged Harm to Children

Major lawsuits in the United States are accusing social media companies of harming children through addictive platform designs. Meta and YouTube are on trial in a key case that could shape many similar lawsuits. The companies deny the claims, while governments worldwide are increasing restrictions and regulations on social media use by children.

Several closely watched and highly significant court cases unfolding across the United States this year are focused on holding major social media companies legally accountable for the alleged harm their platforms cause to children and adolescents. These lawsuits reflect growing concern among parents, lawmakers, and mental health professionals about the impact of digital platforms on young users, particularly as evidence and internal company research come under increased scrutiny.
On Monday, Meta, the parent company of Instagram, and Google-owned YouTube appeared before a jury in Los Angeles County Superior Court in one of the first US jury trials to directly accuse social media platforms of deliberately designing products meant to be addictive. The plaintiffs argue that these design choices have contributed to serious mental health problems among children and teenagers, including anxiety, depression, and emotional distress.
TikTok and Snap were initially included as defendants in the case but were removed after both companies reached settlements for undisclosed amounts earlier. Their exits from the trial have not reduced its importance, as legal experts are treating the case as a bellwether, meaning its outcome could influence hundreds of similar lawsuits that have been filed or are expected to be filed across the country.
During opening statements, Mark Lanier, the attorney representing the plaintiff, a 20-year-old woman identified only by the initials “KGM,” told jurors that the companies intentionally “engineered addiction in children’s brains.” He cited internal documents, research, and design strategies that he claims show the platforms were built to maximize user engagement at the expense of young users’ mental well-being.
KGM alleges that she suffered severe and lasting mental harm after becoming addicted to social media during her childhood. According to her legal team, she began using YouTube at the age of six and joined Instagram when she was nine years old. By the time she finished elementary school, she had already uploaded 284 videos on YouTube, spending extensive amounts of time online during her formative years.
Lanier emphasized that the companies did more than simply create digital tools for communication and entertainment. “They don’t just build apps; they build traps,” he said, arguing that features such as endless scrolling, notifications, and algorithm-driven content were intentionally designed to keep children hooked for as long as possible.
Lawyers representing Meta strongly rejected these claims, arguing that there is no clear scientific agreement that social media addiction exists in the way the plaintiffs describe. They maintained that KGM’s mental health challenges were caused by other factors unrelated to platform use, including family problems, emotional abuse, body image concerns, and bullying. According to the defense, these underlying issues, rather than social media design, were responsible for her struggles.
YouTube also denied the allegations. Company spokesperson Jose Castaneda stated that the claims made in the lawsuit are simply untrue and that the platform takes the safety and well-being of young users seriously.
Several top technology executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri, are expected to testify during the proceedings. The trial is expected to last several weeks, with testimony likely to include internal company communications, expert witnesses, and detailed examinations of platform design and user behavior.
The technology companies involved continue to deny any wrongdoing, pointing to safeguards they say are already in place to protect younger users. They also argue that US law provides them with protection from liability for content and design-related claims, a legal defense that could play a central role in the court’s final decision.
Observers say the verdict could have far-reaching consequences, potentially reshaping how social media platforms are regulated in the United States and how products intended for or accessible to children are designed in the future.
Meanwhile, another trial began on Monday in New Mexico, where Meta is accused of failing to adequately protect young users from sexual exploitation. In addition, a separate bellwether case is scheduled to begin in June in Oakland, California, where school districts are suing social media companies over the harm they claim the platforms have caused to students.
These legal actions are taking place against the backdrop of a broader global debate over children’s access to social media. Around the world, governments are increasingly considering or implementing restrictions aimed at protecting young users from online harm.
Last year, Australia introduced a ban preventing children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. France is also moving in the same direction, with a ban on social media use for children under 15 set to take effect in September.
In Europe, scrutiny is also intensifying. Preliminary findings published by the European Commission recently concluded that TikTok’s “addictive design” violates European Union law, further strengthening calls for stricter regulation of social media platforms and their impact on children and adolescents worldwide.