Big Tech Under Fire: Landmark Trial Over Social Media Addiction Begins

Tue Feb 03 2026 12:56:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A 19-year-old plaintiff claims social media algorithms led to addiction and mental health declines as major tech execs prepare to testify in a California courtroom.

A significant trial is underway in California, where major tech companies are challenged over claims that their algorithms promote social media addiction. The plaintiff, a 19-year-old, alleges that platforms like Meta's Facebook and Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube's parent Google are responsible for detrimental effects on her mental health. This landmark case could reshape the legal landscape regarding responsibilities of tech firms in the U.S. amid rising concerns over youth mental health linked to social media usage.

Big Tech Under Fire: Landmark Trial Over Social Media Addiction Begins

A landmark social media addiction trial in which top tech executives are expected to testify begins on Tuesday in California.

The plaintiff, a 19-year-old woman identified by the initials KGM, alleges the design of the platforms' algorithms left her addicted to social media and negatively affected her mental health.

The defendants include Meta - which owns Instagram and Facebook - TikTok's owner ByteDance and YouTube parent Google. Snapchat settled with the plaintiff last week.

The closely-watched case at Los Angeles Superior Court is the first in a wave of such lawsuits challenging the legal shield that tech firms often use to protect themselves from liability.

'Dangerous and Addictive Algorithms'

The companies involved claim the evidence presented by the plaintiff does not sufficiently prove that they are responsible for alleged harms such as depression and eating disorders.

This case marks a significant shift in how the U.S. legal system addresses tech firms, which are increasingly under scrutiny for creating addictive designs.

At the core of the case are concerns about the algorithms and features that influence app usage, rather than third-party content, which has been traditionally protected under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

'The Tech Industry Has Been Given Deferential Treatment'

Jurors are expected to view various evidence, including internal company documents, shedding light on past practices that companies hoped to keep confidential.

As this trial unfolds, tech giants will need to defend their practices and the potential harm their platforms may have caused to a younger generation. With mounting claims and legal precedents being set, the landscape for tech companies may be changing dramatically.