The courtroom drama continues in Los Angeles as Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri and YouTube’s legal team defend their platforms against serious allegations of engineering addiction among young users. The landmark trial, which could reshape the future of social media regulation, centres around the case of a 20-year-old woman, identified as Kaley G.M., claiming that her mental health suffered due to prolonged use of these platforms.
Key Testimonies and Arguments
During testimonies, Mosseri made a statement pushing back against the idea of clinical addiction to social media, arguing that there’s a significant difference between “problematic use” and addiction. He stated, “I’m sure I said that I’ve been addicted to a Netflix show when I binged it really late one night, but I don’t think it’s the same thing as clinical addiction.” In response to his remarks, plaintiff attorney Mark Lanier questioned Mosseri’s qualifications to make such claims, highlighting that he lacks formal medical training.
- Kaley G.M. began using YouTube at age six.
- She joined Instagram at eleven, progressing to Snapchat and TikTok shortly thereafter.
- Meta’s attorney argued that Kaley’s challenges stemmed from personal circumstances rather than social media use.
YouTube’s Defense
On the other side, YouTube’s lawyer, Luis Li, contested the notion of addiction related to their platform. He argued, “It’s not social media addiction when it’s not social media and it’s not addiction.” Li pointed out that many users engage with YouTube on television rather than personal devices, thereby contesting the characterisation of the platform.
The Broader Implications
This trial is deemed a bellwether, potentially paving the way for numerous similar lawsuits against major social media companies if the jury rules in favour of the plaintiffs. Experts observe that lawsuits against tech firms have intensified, paralleling historical cases against the tobacco industry for knowingly promoting harmful products.
As the trial progresses, both platforms will continue to face scrutiny as the legal implications of their impact on youth mental health unfold. With the testimony of Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg expected soon, this case is certainly a turning point for how social media may be regulated in the future.