Social Media Giants Face Landmark Trials Over Harms to Children

Opening arguments begin this week in Los Angeles case alleging platforms deliberately addict and harm young users

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The world's biggest social media companies, including Meta (Instagram) and Google (YouTube), are facing several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms. The first trial, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, begins this week with claims that the platforms deliberately addict and harm children to boost profits. The outcome could have profound effects on the tech companies' businesses and how they handle children on their platforms.

Why it matters

These trials represent a major legal challenge to the social media industry, which has long argued it is not liable for content posted on its platforms. If the plaintiffs are successful, it could open the door for thousands of similar lawsuits and force the companies to fundamentally rethink how they design and operate their products, especially for young users.

The details

The core of the case centers on a 19-year-old plaintiff identified as 'KGM,' whose case could determine how other lawsuits play out. The lawsuit claims the companies used deliberate design choices to make their platforms more addictive for children in order to drive advertising revenue. Executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, are expected to testify during the 6-8 week trial.

  • Opening arguments for the Los Angeles trial begin this week.
  • A federal bellwether trial in Oakland, California is scheduled to begin in June, representing school districts suing social media platforms.
  • In New Mexico, opening arguments begin Monday for a trial on allegations that Meta failed to protect young users from sexual exploitation.

The players

Meta

The parent company of Instagram, which is named in the Los Angeles lawsuit.

Google

The parent company of YouTube, which is also named in the Los Angeles lawsuit.

KGM

A 19-year-old plaintiff whose case is considered a bellwether for the thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies.

Sacha Haworth

The executive director of the nonprofit Tech Oversight Project.

Clay Calvert

A nonresident senior fellow of technology policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute.

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What they’re saying

“Providing young people with a safer, healthier experience has always been core to our work.”

— José Castañeda, Google Spokesperson

What’s next

The judge in the Los Angeles case will hear opening arguments this week, kicking off a 6-8 week trial that could set the stage for thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies.

The takeaway

These landmark trials represent a major legal challenge to the social media industry, which has long argued it is not liable for content posted on its platforms. If the plaintiffs are successful, it could force the tech giants to fundamentally rethink how they design and operate their products, especially for young and vulnerable users.