Bellwether trial puts Meta internal messages like "IG is a drug" in the spotlight
A landmark lawsuit alleging Instagram and YouTube addiction harmed a young user goes to trial after TikTok and Snapchat settled, with plaintiffs seeking damages and platform changes while Meta faces internal memos that could be damaging.
- The case is a bellwether among more than 1,000 personal injury suits accusing social platforms of prioritizing profit over child safety.
- Plaintiff K.G.M., now 19, says she used YouTube from age 6 and joined Instagram at 11 and that platform features triggered depression, anxiety, self harm and suicidality.
- TikTok and Snapchat settled before the trial began, leaving Meta and YouTube as the main defendants in court.
- Plaintiffs plan to use internal company messages, including phrases such as "IG is a drug," to argue executives knew the risks to young users.
- A loss for the companies could cost social media firms billions and require design changes or prominent safety warnings on platforms.
- Meta and YouTube say other factors explain the plaintiff's harm and are defending themselves with Section 230 and First Amendment arguments.