In a landmark trial underway in Los Angeles, California woman Kaley GM is testifying in court about the harmful effects of using Meta Platforms’ Instagram and Google’s YouTube on her mental health.
Having started using Instagram at age 9 and YouTube at age 6, Kaley says these platforms contributed to her depression and body dysmorphia.
Its lawyers argue that the companies knowingly profited from attracting young children to the platforms, despite evidence showing serious harm suffered by addicted users. Reuters reported.
For the same reasons, countries like Australia have already banned these platforms for young users, while others are considering similar measures.
The early phases of the trial were based on what Meta and YouTube knew about their platforms’ impact on younger users, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledging discussions of products aimed at children that had never launched. Today, the focus would have been on Kaley’s personal experiences and how these services affected her life.
To win their case, Kaley’s lawyers must demonstrate that the design and operation of these platforms contributed to her mental health problems.
Evidence presented to the jury includes an internal Meta study indicating that teens facing difficult life circumstances often reported habitually using Instagram.
Autoplaying videos and endless scrolling are notable features highlighted by Kaley’s lawyer that allegedly encourage excessive usage. YouTube’s legal team pointed out that Kaley did not use available protection features.
The outcome of this case will likely have serious implications for the regulation of social media and the safety of children.
