Big Tech Faces Landmark Trial Over Claims Social Apps Addict Children

Opening statements kick off a landmark LA County trial accusing Meta’s Instagram and Google’s YouTube of deliberately addicting children, backed by internal emails and studies. TikTok and Snap settled, leaving Meta and YouTube to defend themselves as a bellwether case (KGM) could shape thousands of similar suits. The eight‑week trial may influence whether First Amendment or Section 230 defenses apply to platform liability, with Meta and YouTube denying the charges and highlighting safeguards, and CEO Mark Zuckerberg expected to testify. Related cases in New Mexico and Oakland, plus rising global policy action, reflect broad scrutiny of how social media affects young users.