In a landmark trial taking place in Los Angeles, a California woman, Kaley GM, is testifying in court about the detrimental effects of using Meta Platforms’ Instagram and Google’s YouTube on her mental health.
Kaley started using Instagram at the age of 9 and YouTube at 6, and claims that these platforms contributed to her depression and body dysmorphia.
Their lawyers argue that the companies knowingly benefited from hooking young children on the platforms, even though evidence shows serious harm suffered by addicted users. Reuters reported.
For the same reason, countries like Australia have already banned these platforms for young users, while others are considering similar measures.
The initial phases of the test were based on what Meta and YouTube knew about the impact of their platforms on young users, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledging discussions about children’s products that were never launched. Now, attention has reportedly turned to Kaley’s personal experiences and how these services affected her life.
To succeed in their case, Kaley’s attorneys must prove 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 challenging life circumstances often reported regular Instagram use.
Auto-playing videos and endless scrolling are notable features highlighted by Kaley’s lawyer, which are said to encourage overuse. YouTube’s legal team noted that Kaley did not use the available protection features.
The outcome of the case is likely to have serious repercussions for social media regulation and child safety.
