A closely watched trial in Los Angeles is putting the design of major social media platforms under fresh scrutiny, as two young users accuse Meta, Snap, TikTok and YouTube of building features that encouraged addictive behaviour among children.
The case is the second social media addiction lawsuit to reach trial in Los Angeles state court. The two teenagers involved, identified as S.J. and K.D.B., had already reached settlements with TikTok and YouTube.
Their claims centre on the allegation that platform features were deliberately structured to keep young users scrolling and watching for extended periods. Both say their social media habits began at an exceptionally young age. S.J., a 16-year-old from Illinois, claims she started using YouTube when she was just three, while K.D.B., now 18, says their use of the platform began around the same age. Both reportedly started using other social media apps at approximately nine years old.
They point specifically to features such as autoplay and infinite scrolling, arguing that these mechanisms contributed to compulsive use and harmed their well-being.
The technology companies have strongly disputed the accusations. They maintain that their platforms were not created to make children addicted and argue that they have introduced safeguards intended to provide younger users with safer online environments.
The stakes extend well beyond the two teenagers. Their lawsuit has been selected as a bellwether case from thousands of similar claims pending in courts across the United States. Its outcome could shape settlement negotiations and litigation strategies in other cases involving social media companies.
The broader legal battle includes claims brought by individuals, school districts, municipalities and government bodies. These lawsuits accuse major technology companies of knowingly encouraging excessive platform use among children, contributing to a growing youth mental health crisis involving anxiety, depression and suicide.
The first major trial in this wave of litigation ended in March, when a Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube negligent in a case brought by a young woman. The jury awarded her $6 million in damages, delivering an early setback for the companies.
Subsequent cases selected for trial have largely avoided courtroom verdicts, with some claims withdrawn and others resolved through settlements. A school district chosen as the first representative plaintiff in a separate legal battle also reached agreements with all the companies involved.
The pressure on social media platforms has continued to mount beyond the courtroom. In August, Meta reached settlements reportedly worth up to $18 billion with nearly all US states and territories over allegations concerning harm to teenagers. The agreements also included commitments to change how Instagram and Facebook operate for younger users.
Meta has faced another significant legal blow in New Mexico. Earlier this month, a judge ordered the company to pay a $25 billion penalty after a jury concluded that it had misled Facebook users about data privacy and its handling of hate speech. Meta has said it intends to challenge that decision.
With thousands of cases still unresolved, the Los Angeles proceedings could become another defining moment in the growing legal confrontation between social media companies and those seeking accountability for the impact of their platforms on children.
