Landmark trial begins on social media addiction in children

Meta and Google face claims their 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 and Google, are facing several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms. Opening statements for the first trial, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, began today. The case centers on a 19-year-old plaintiff who claims the companies' platforms deliberately addicted her as a minor, with detrimental impacts on her mental health.

Why it matters

This case could set a precedent for thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies, and the outcome could have profound effects on how these platforms handle children and teens. It's the first time the companies are arguing their case before a jury, and a successful lawsuit could sidestep their legal protections and force major changes to how they design their products.

The details

At the core of the Los Angeles case is a 19-year-old plaintiff identified as 'KGM,' whose case could determine how other lawsuits play out. The plaintiffs' lawyer said the companies 'engineered addiction in children's brains' through features like 'like' buttons that cater to minors' need for social validation. The defendants dispute the claims, citing safeguards they've added and arguing they aren't liable for third-party content.

  • The trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court began on February 9, 2026.
  • The trial is expected to last 6-8 weeks.

The players

Meta

The parent company of Instagram, which is facing claims that its platforms deliberately addict and harm children.

Google

The parent company of YouTube, which is also facing claims that its platforms deliberately addict and harm children.

KGM

A 19-year-old plaintiff whose case is at the center of the Los Angeles trial, claiming the social media companies' platforms addicted her as a minor and harmed her mental health.

Mark Lanier

The lawyer representing the plaintiffs, who delivered the opening statement in the Los Angeles trial.

Carolyn B. Kuhl

The judge presiding over the Los Angeles trial.

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What they’re saying

“For a teenager, social validation is survival. The defendants 'engineered a feature that caters to a minor's craving for social validation,'”

— Mark Lanier, Plaintiffs' lawyer

“Borrowing heavily from the behavioral and neurobiological techniques used by slot machines and exploited by the cigarette industry, Defendants deliberately embedded in their products an array of design features aimed at maximizing youth engagement to drive advertising revenue.”

— KGM, Plaintiff

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

— José Castañeda, Google Spokesperson

What’s next

The trial in Los Angeles is expected to last 6-8 weeks, and the outcome could have profound effects on how social media companies handle children and teens on their platforms. A separate trial in New Mexico is also set to begin on the same day, with opening arguments.

The takeaway

This landmark trial represents a major legal challenge to the social media industry, with the potential to force significant changes to how these platforms design and operate their products, especially when it comes to protecting children and teens from harmful addictive features. The case could set a precedent that sidesteps existing legal protections for tech companies.