Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms begins

"LOS ANGELES (AP) - The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms. Opening statements for the first, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, begin this week. Instagram's parent company Meta and Google's YouTube will face claims that their platforms deliberately addict and harm children. TikTok and Snap, which were originally named in the lawsuit, settled for undisclosed sums."

"At the core of the Los Angeles 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,"

Opening statements begin this week in Los Angeles County Superior Court for landmark trials targeting major social media companies over harms to children. Instagram's parent Meta and Google's YouTube face claims that design choices deliberately addicted children and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts. TikTok and Snap settled earlier for undisclosed sums. A 19-year-old identified as KGM is a bellwether plaintiff whose case could influence thousands of similar lawsuits and damage awards. Hundreds of parents and school districts have filed suits, and a separate trial in New Mexico is also set to begin. The cases mark the first time these companies will argue before juries.

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