A landmark social media addiction trial in which top tech executives are expected to testify begins on Tuesday in California.
The plaintiff, a 19-year-old woman identified by the initials KGM, alleges the design of the platforms' algorithms left her addicted to social media and negatively affected her mental health.
The defendants include Meta - which owns Instagram and Facebook - TikTok's owner ByteDance, and YouTube parent Google. Snapchat settled with the plaintiff last week.
The closely-watched case in Los Angeles Superior Court is the first in a wave of lawsuits that could challenge a legal theory used by tech firms to shield themselves from culpability in the U.S.
The social media companies have claimed the plaintiff's evidence fails to prove they are responsible for alleged harms such as depression and eating disorders.
This case marks a shift in how the U.S. legal system treats tech firms, which face increasing claims that their products lead to addictive behaviors.
The companies have long argued that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act exempts them from liability for what third parties post. However, this case examines design choices about algorithms and notifications that influence user interaction.
KGM's attorney stated this will be the first time a social media company is held accountable by a jury at trial.
“Unfortunately, there are too many kids suffering due to the dangerous and addictive algorithms,” he said.
Many experts warn this case could pose a significant threat to the survival of social media companies.
Jerome Goldman, a law professor, indicated that proving physical harms caused by content publishers may be challenging. He noted that the plaintiffs have introduced new legal questions not designed to be addressed in current law.
The trial is anticipated to include extensive evidence, including internal documents from the companies, potentially revealing practices the firms have tried to keep hidden.
Meta has previously stated it has introduced numerous tools to promote a safer environment for teens, although the effectiveness of these measures has been contested.
Among the key testimonies will be Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who has previously asserted that no scientific evidence supports a direct link between social media use and worsening mental health outcomes.
The trial follows growing scrutiny of tech giants by families, school districts, and authorities worldwide, including various lawsuits against Meta alleging the company misled the public regarding social media risks.
