Teen Alleges Social Media Addiction in Landmark Trial

A 20-year-old woman, referred to in court as KGM and by her first name Kaley, testified on Thursday about her childhood experiences with social media. She stated that her extensive use of platforms like YouTube, which she began at age 6, and Instagram, starting at age 9, led to addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts. This case is a bellwether trial, meaning its outcome could significantly impact thousands of other lawsuits against social media companies. Meta and YouTube are the remaining defendants, as TikTok and Snap have already settled.

Kaley recounted how features such as notifications on Instagram and YouTube provided her with a 'rush,' leading her to check them frequently, even during school. She also described the pervasive use of filters on Instagram, which she believes exacerbated her body dysmorphia. While Meta's defense attorney argued Kaley's mental health struggles predated her social media use, Kaley stated she did not experience body image issues before using social media and filters. Her testimony highlighted instances of peak usage exceeding 16 hours in a single day.