Landmark Trial Begins: Meta & Google Accused of Designing Addictive Apps for Kids

The first trial accusing tech giants of deliberately making their social media platforms addictive for children and teens has begun.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A landmark trial has begun in a Los Angeles courtroom, where a jury will decide if major tech companies like Meta and Alphabet (Google's parent) designed their social media platforms to be intentionally addictive for kids, prioritizing ad revenue over mental health. The case focuses on a young woman who claims early exposure to Instagram and YouTube led to severe addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Lawyers are targeting the product design, not the content itself, arguing the companies used features similar to slot machines to keep users engaged. Meta and Google deny the allegations, saying teen mental health is a complex issue. However, the plaintiffs say the companies' safety tools are secondary to a business model that needs constant user engagement for revenue. This trial could set the tone for hundreds of similar lawsuits and force tech companies to change their practices if found guilty of designing addictive platforms.

Why it matters

This landmark trial could have major implications for the tech industry, potentially forcing companies like Meta and Google to overhaul their business models if found guilty of deliberately designing addictive social media platforms for kids. It comes amid growing global pressure, with governments taking legislative action to restrict underage access to social media. A verdict against the tech giants could lead to the end of the algorithms that keep people endlessly scrolling, dramatically changing how these companies make money.

The details

Lawyers are not attacking the content itself, but rather the product design, claiming businesses intentionally put in features similar to slot machines to get people, especially kids, to use their products more. The plaintiffs want to hold Big Tech responsible in a way similar to how the tobacco industry was fought, by calling the platforms defective and addictive. Meta and Google strongly deny the allegations, saying teen mental health is a complex issue impacted by many factors, and that they have added safety tools and parental controls over the years. However, the plaintiffs argue these protections are secondary to a business model that needs constant user engagement for revenue.

  • This week, a Los Angeles courtroom will begin the process to potentially change the tech industry forever.
  • The Los Angeles trial is a bellwether case, meaning it will set the tone for hundreds of similar lawsuits across the U.S.

The players

Meta

The parent company of social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

Alphabet

The parent company of Google, which owns YouTube.

KGM

A young woman who claims early exposure to Instagram and YouTube led to a severe addiction that fueled depression and suicidal thoughts.

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What they’re saying

“Teen mental health is a multifactorial issue impacted by school safety, academic pressure, and social and economic factors. Blaming social media oversimplifies a complex crisis that clinicians and researchers are still studying.”

— Meta

“These protections are secondary to a business model that needs to keep kids involved all the time to get revenue.”

— Plaintiffs

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow KGM's case to proceed to a full trial.

The takeaway

This trial could force major changes in the tech industry if the jury finds that companies like Meta and Google deliberately designed their social media platforms to be addictive for children and teens, prioritizing profits over mental health. The outcome could set a precedent for hundreds of similar lawsuits and lead to new regulations restricting how these companies can target young users.