"This marks the beginning of a legal onslaught that could erode Big Tech's longstanding defence. Tech giants Meta, TikTok and YouTube are facing a landmark trial over allegations that their platforms negatively impact mental health among youth, marking the first time the companies will argue their case before a jury. The case kicks off on Tuesday in California Superior Court, Los Angeles County, with the jury selection process expected to take at least a few days,"
"The trial is considered a test case for thousands of other lawsuits seeking damages for social media harms. A fourth company named in the lawsuit, Snapchat parent company Snap Inc., settled the case last week for an undisclosed sum. Executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, are expected to testify at the trial, which will last six to eight weeks. The plaintiff is a 19-year-old woman from California, identified as KGM, who said she became addicted to the companies' platforms at a young age."
"Importantly, she claims that this was done through deliberate design choices made by companies that sought to make their platforms more addictive to children to boost profits. She alleges the apps fueled her depression and suicidal thoughts and is seeking to hold the companies liable. Her lawsuit is the first of several cases expected to go to trial this year that centre on what the plaintiffs call social media addiction among children."
Meta, TikTok and YouTube face a landmark jury trial in Los Angeles over allegations that their platforms negatively affected youth mental health. A 19-year-old plaintiff, identified as KGM, alleges addiction beginning at a young age and accuses companies of deliberate design choices to increase youth engagement and profits. Snap Inc. settled separately. Executives, including Mark Zuckerberg, are expected to testify during a six to eight week trial. The case is treated as a test for thousands of related lawsuits seeking damages for social media harms. Plaintiffs compare design tactics to behavioural techniques used in slot machines and analogous strategies from the cigarette industry.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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