A 20-year-old woman identified in court only as K.G.M. testified Thursday in a closely watched lawsuit alleging addictive design practices by major social media platforms. Her case is one of several bellwether trials targeting tech giants over claims that their products harm minors’ mental health.
The lawsuit names YouTube and Meta — parent company of Facebook and Instagram — as defendants. TikTok and Snap were originally included but reached settlements before trial.
K.G.M. testified that she began using social media at age six and uploaded more than 300 videos to YouTube before turning 10. She said she joined Instagram at about nine years old and felt compelled to remain constantly logged on, fearing she would miss out if she disconnected.
On the stand, she described developing body-image concerns influenced by filtered images on Instagram and said she withdrew from hobbies and friendships as her screen time increased. She testified that exposure to online content contributed to depression, insomnia, and self-harm behaviors.
The July 2023 lawsuit alleges that the companies intentionally designed features — including algorithm-driven recommendations and persistent notifications — to maximize engagement among young users. The complaint further claims artificial intelligence tools connected her to strangers, including alleged predatory adults, and amplified harmful content related to self-harm and appearance.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg previously testified that children under 13 are barred from using Meta platforms and said the company removes underage users when discovered. Plaintiffs’ attorneys countered that millions of preteens reportedly access Instagram despite age restrictions.
Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, testified that increased usage does not automatically equate to addiction, comparing it to binge-watching television content. He said protecting minors aligns with the company’s business interests.
The case is being closely monitored as a potential test of legal accountability for social media platforms. Hundreds of similar lawsuits are pending nationwide, with plaintiffs generally arguing that complex algorithms exploit human psychology and contribute to youth mental health crises.
The companies deny wrongdoing and argue that social media serves as a tool for communication and information sharing. Defense attorneys have suggested that outside factors in K.G.M.’s life contributed to her struggles.
The outcome could influence future regulatory efforts and litigation strategies involving digital platforms and child protection standards.
