A U.S. jury trial will test claims that major social media companies knowingly designed addictive features that harmed children’s mental health, with potential implications for hundreds of similar lawsuits.
Jury selection is set to begin in Los Angeles County Superior Court in a lawsuit accusing Meta, TikTok and YouTube of fueling excessive social media use among children, CBS/AP reported. The case centers on a 19-year-old plaintiff, identified as “KGM,” who alleges early use led to addiction and mental health harm.
Legal experts say the trial could be a bellwether for more than a thousand similar cases, potentially forcing platform changes if plaintiffs prevail. The proceedings will also test what damages, if any, may be awarded, said Clay Calvert of the American Enterprise Institute, with jury selection expected to take several days.
The lawsuit alleges companies deliberately embedded addictive design features to boost profits, arguing this could bypass First Amendment and Section 230 protections. Executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, are expected to testify. The companies deny wrongdoing, citing safeguards and disputing claims they deliberately harm children.