Instagram and YouTube Accused of Creating 'Addiction Machines' in Landmark Trial

Fri Mar 06 2026 13:35:12 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A significant trial in California raises serious questions about the impact of Instagram and YouTube on mental health, as parents accuse the companies of designing platforms that foster addiction in children.

A trial has commenced in Los Angeles, accusing social media giants Meta and YouTube of creating platforms that intentionally addict young users, leading to mental health issues. The case centers around a plaintiff identified as K.G.M., whose battles with social media addiction are highlighted as part of a broader critique of how these companies operate. With testimonies expected from prominent figures, including Mark Zuckerberg, this trial could set a precedent for similar lawsuits across the country.

The world's largest social media companies have been accused of creating 'addiction machines' as a landmark trial began in California examining the mental health effects of Instagram and YouTube.

In his opening argument before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl and a jury, Mark Lanier argued that his client, plaintiff K.G.M., suffered from mental health issues as a result of her social media addiction.

These companies built machines designed to addict the brains of children, and they did it on purpose, Lanier said.

Lawyers for Meta and YouTube told the jury that K.G.M.'s addiction stemmed from other issues in her life, not their negligence.

K.G.M. will be referred to by her initials, or as Kaley G.M., because the alleged harms took place when she was a minor.

Lanier charged that Meta and YouTube failed to warn of the dangers to young users posed by the design of their platforms.

He underscored his opening remarks by displaying blocks with the words Addicting, Brains, and Children spelled out. This case is about two of the richest corporations in history who have engineered addiction in children's brains, Lanier said, indicating plans to present internal documents and emails from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and YouTube executives.

In a 2015 email excerpt shown to the court, Zuckerberg emphasized the need for a 12% increase in time spent on Meta platforms.

Regarding YouTube, Lanier asserted that the platform targets young users to charge advertisers more, contrasting this with its YouTube Kids platform.

When it was Meta's turn to speak, attorney Paul Schmidt questioned whether Instagram was a substantial factor in K.G.M.'s mental health troubles. He portrayed her as grappling with family turmoil, including neglect, abuse, and bullying.

The trial, which could last six weeks, aims to assess the contentions of families observing adverse effects in their children due to platform usage, while companies deny liability for user behavior. Testimonies from experts and affected families are anticipated, potentially leading to significant implications for lawsuits nationwide.

Moreover, state attorneys are demanding modifications to Meta’s operations, including removing accounts of users under 13 and revising addictive design features. The outcome may influence a multitude of similar cases across the U.S.