IG is a drug': jury to deliberate as US trial over social media addiction wraps up

"Lawyers for Meta and YouTube have argued their platforms are safe for the vast majority of young people, while lawyers for a young woman at the center of the case say the tech companies have designed their products to be addictive, leading to mental health issues in children and teens."

"KGM said she got hooked on YouTube starting at six and Instagram at nine. By the time she was 10, she said, she had become depressed and was engaging in self-harm as a result. The cycle of social media use caused her to have strained relationships with her family and in school."

"If jurors rule in favor of KGM, the social media companies could face harsh financial penalties, which plaintiffs' lawyers hope will lead them to change fundamental aspects of how their platforms function. In this case, the burden of proof is on the plaintiffs."

The first jury trial addressing social media's potential harms to youth concluded after six weeks of testimony. The case centers on a 20-year-old woman (KGM) who claims Meta and YouTube deliberately designed addictive products, leading to depression, self-harm, and diagnosed mental health conditions starting in childhood. High-profile witnesses including Mark Zuckerberg, Adam Mosseri, and Cristos Goodrow testified for the defense, arguing platforms are safe for most young people. KGM's legal team presented evidence of addiction mechanisms and mental health consequences, while the tech companies deny wrongdoing. Jurors must establish negligence and causation to impose damages. The outcome could significantly impact how social media platforms operate if plaintiffs prevail.

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