Tech giants head to landmark US trial over social media addiction claims

The Guardian - World NewsEN 5 min read 100% complete by Dara KerrJanuary 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

A landmark trial is beginning in Los Angeles, where hundreds of families and school districts are suing Meta, Snap, TikTok, and YouTube, alleging their platforms are intentionally addictive and harmful to children. The plaintiffs claim addiction to these platforms leads to mental health issues like depression and eating disorders. The initial trial focuses on a 19-year-old's case and is the first of several "bellwether" trials to assess jury reactions. Plaintiffs seek financial damages and changes to platform design to establish safety standards. Key witnesses are expected to include social media CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg and experts on online harm. The outcome could significantly impact how social media platforms are designed and open the door for further lawsuits.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

José Castañeda 30% Adam Mosseri 40% Evan Spiegel 40% Social Media Victims Law Center 50% Matthew Bergman 50% United States 60% Los Angeles 60% YouTube ×270% TikTok ×280% Snap ×380% Mark Zuckerberg ×280% Meta ×390%

Keywords

social media addiction 100% tech giants 90% lawsuit 80% mental health issues 70% children 60% product design 60% injunctive relief 50% legal proceedings 50% safety standards 40%