Arguments Begin in Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial in LA

Meta, YouTube face claims their platforms deliberately addict and harm children

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The world's biggest social media companies, including Meta and Google's YouTube, are facing several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms. Opening arguments for the first trial, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, begin this week. At the core of the case is a 19-year-old plaintiff who claims her use of social media from an early age addicted her to the technology and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts.

Why it matters

This case could determine how thousands of other, similar lawsuits against social media companies will play out. If the plaintiffs are successful in arguing the companies deliberately designed their platforms to be addictive for children, it could sidestep the companies' First Amendment and Section 230 protections.

The details

The lawsuit claims the social media companies "deliberately embedded in their products an array of design features aimed at maximizing youth engagement to drive advertising revenue." Executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, are expected to testify at the trial, which will last six to eight weeks. The tech companies dispute the claims, citing safeguards they've added and arguing they aren't liable for content posted by third parties.

  • Opening arguments for the trial begin this week in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

The players

Meta

The parent company of Instagram, which is facing claims its platform deliberately addicts and harms children.

Google's YouTube

Also facing claims its platform deliberately addicts and harms children.

KGM

A 19-year-old plaintiff whose case could determine how thousands of other, similar lawsuits against social media companies will play out.

Sacha Haworth

Executive director of the nonprofit Tech Oversight Project, who says this is only the first case and there are hundreds of parents and school districts bringing similar lawsuits.

Clay Calvert

A nonresident senior fellow of technology policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, who says the outcome of this trial could have profound effects on social media companies' businesses and how they handle children using their platforms.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow the plaintiffs to proceed with their claims against the social media companies.

The takeaway

This landmark trial could set a precedent for how social media companies are held accountable for the mental health impacts of their platforms on children and teenagers, potentially leading to significant changes in how these companies design and operate their products.