"Three of the world's biggest tech companies face a landmark trial in Los Angeles starting this week over claims that their platforms - Meta's Instagram, ByteDance's TikTok and Google's YouTube - deliberately addict and harm children. Jury selection starts this week in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. It's the first time the companies will argue their case before a jury, and the outcome could have profound effects on their businesses and how they will handle children using their platforms."
"At the core of the case is a 19-year-old identified only by the initials "KGM," whose case could determine how thousands of other, similar lawsuits against social media companies will play out. She and two other plaintiffs have been selected for bellwether trials - essentially test cases for both sides to see how their arguments play out before a jury and what damages, if any, may be awarded, said Clay Calvert, a nonresident senior fellow of technology policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute."
"KGM claims that her use of social media from an early age addicted her to the technology and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts. Importantly, the lawsuit 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. This argument, if successful, could sidestep the companies' First Amendment shield and Section 230, which protects tech companies from liability for material posted on their platforms."
A Los Angeles trial will examine claims that Meta's Instagram, ByteDance's TikTok and Google's YouTube deliberately designed features to addict and harm children. Jury selection begins in Los Angeles County Superior Court, with a bellwether plaintiff identified as "KGM" and two other plaintiffs chosen to test legal arguments and potential damages. Snap Inc. settled separately. Plaintiffs allege design choices prioritized profit by increasing addiction and worsening youth mental health. Plaintiffs contend a successful case could bypass First Amendment defenses and Section 230 immunity, with outcomes potentially influencing thousands of similar lawsuits and platform policies regarding child users.
Read at SFGATE
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