A landmark trial in Los Angeles is examining whether social media platforms can be held responsible for harming young users.
The case centres on a young woman known as Kaley. She told a jury that she once spent 16 hours in a single day using Instagram.
Kaley said the app became part of her daily routine. She checked notifications in the middle of the night and opened the platform immediately after waking up.
She also told the court that social media changed her behaviour. She said she stopped spending time with her family because she was constantly online.
A Test Case for Thousands of Lawsuits
Kaley’s case targets major tech companies Meta and Google.
Other platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat were also included in the original lawsuit but later settled outside court.
Legal experts say this trial could influence more than 2,000 similar lawsuits across the United States.
Families and advocates argue that social media platforms expose young users to harmful content and addictive features.
Parents Watching the Trial Closely
Many parents believe social media played a role in their children’s mental health struggles.
One of them is Lori Schott. Her daughter Annalee died by suicide at age 18.
Schott attended the trial even though she is not part of the lawsuit. She believes social media platforms exposed her daughter to damaging online content.
She also claims companies failed to warn families about potential risks.
Major Legal Questions
The trial focuses on several key questions.
Jurors must decide whether Kaley developed an addiction to social media. They must also consider whether companies intentionally designed their platforms to keep users engaged for long periods.
Judge Carolyn Kuhl described many of these legal issues as unprecedented.
If the jury rules against the tech companies, the decision could change how courts treat social media platforms.
Zuckerberg Appears in Court
Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and chief executive of Meta, appeared in court to defend the company.
Meta owns several major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
It was the first time Zuckerberg testified in person during a trial involving his company.
The verdict could affect thousands of other legal cases already moving through US courts.
How Social Media Affected Kaley
Kaley told the court she began using YouTube when she was six years old. She joined Instagram at age nine.
Although Meta says its platforms require users to be at least 13, Kaley created multiple accounts over time.
She posted selfies on Instagram and uploaded singing videos on YouTube. She hoped to gain likes and online validation.
When she was not posting content, she spent hours scrolling through videos and posts.
Over time, she began spending less time outdoors and struggled to interact with people offline.
Mental Health Concerns
Kaley said she began experiencing anxiety and depression around age ten.
Later, therapists diagnosed her with both conditions.
She also developed concerns about her appearance. She frequently used Instagram filters that changed her facial features.
Doctors later diagnosed her with Body Dysmorphic Disorder, a condition where people become overly focused on perceived flaws in their appearance.
When asked whether she had these feelings before using social media, Kaley answered no.
The jury’s decision could shape the future of technology regulation and determine whether social media companies must take greater responsibility for the wellbeing of young users.
