California Woman Testifies Against Meta and YouTube Over Social Media Addiction

Los Angeles, February 26, 2026: A California woman, identified in court as Kaley G.M., took the stand on Wednesday in her landmark lawsuit against Meta Platforms’ Instagram and Google’s YouTube. She claims the platforms contributed to her mental health struggles from a young age.

Kaley began using Instagram at the age of 9 and YouTube at 6. She alleges that the social media platforms caused her depression, anxiety, and body image issues. Her lawyers argue that Meta and Google knowingly designed their services to hook children, despite evidence of potential harm.

The trial is part of a growing global debate over social media’s effects on children and teens. Countries such as Australia have already limited underage use of these platforms, and other nations are considering similar restrictions.

Plaintiff’s Claims About Social Media Harm

Kaley’s attorneys explained that features like infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, and “like” buttons are designed to maximize screen time. They argue these tools can worsen mental health, especially for young users facing difficult personal circumstances. Instagram filters, they say, contributed to body dysmorphia and distorted self-image.

Internal studies by Meta showed that teens with challenging home lives often used Instagram habitually. Kaley’s lawyers highlighted this in court, linking the findings to her long-term struggles.

Defense Arguments

Meta and YouTube deny direct responsibility for her mental health issues. Meta’s legal team stated that Kaley’s family history, including parental divorce and past abuse, also played a role. YouTube’s lawyer added that Kaley did not use the platform’s safety tools, such as comment moderation and time limits, which are designed to protect users. Court records show that Kaley spent an average of just over one minute on YouTube Shorts per day and around 29 minutes daily on videos over the past five years.

The companies also emphasized that they never launched fully dedicated apps for children, despite internal discussions. CEO Mark Zuckerberg previously testified about Meta’s caution in this area.

Trial Outlook

To win the case, Kaley’s legal team must prove that the companies’ design and operational choices were a substantial factor in causing her mental health challenges. The outcome could set a global precedent for regulating social media platforms and protecting children from digital harm.

Kaley’s testimony continues to draw attention as lawmakers and social media watchdogs worldwide monitor the trial closely.