Millions of teenagers unlock their phones and open Instagram each day without thinking about how long they will stay glued to their screens. Autoplay videos, algorithm recommendations, and endless feeds can turn a quick scroll into hours of continuous use, according to theguardian.com. Now, an ongoing courtroom battle in Los Angeles, California seeks whether or not social media platforms can bear legal responsibility for the mental health of young users, according to thewashingtonpost.com.
At the center of the case, Mr. Mark Zuckerberg, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Meta, faced hours of questioning about whether his company’s platforms contribute to anxiety, depression, and addiction among teenagers, according to theguardian.com. The trial marks the first major “bellwether” case among more than 1,600 lawsuits filed against social media companies, meaning its outcome could influence how courts across the United States (US) handle similar claims, according to theguardian.com.
The lawsuit focuses on 20 year old plaintiff, K.G.M, who testified that she began using YouTube at age six and joined Instagram at just nine years old. Over time, her use intensified as social media became a constant presence in her daily life. She described losing track of time due to autoplay features and personalized content that kept her engaged longer than intended, according to edition.cnn.com.
“I would say I’m going to get off, but then it would be on autoplay and I would be on it for hours,” K.G.M said, according to edition.cnn.com. “I was on it from a young age and I would spend all of my time on it.”
Trial lawyer Mr. Mark Lanier and the plaintiff’s attorneys argue that social media companies intentionally design their platforms to maximize user engagement, especially among young people, according to techcrunch.com. Features such as infinite scrolling, push notifications, and algorithm-driven recommendations create a cycle of compulsion. Mr. Lanier argued in court that these design choices do more than entertain, but manipulate behavior and contribute to worsening mental health conditions among adolescents, according to techcrunch.com.
Experts involved in the broader discussion highlight the role of dopamine, a chemical in the brain associated with reward and motivation. Each notification, like, or new post can trigger a small dopamine release, reinforcing the behavior and encouraging users to return repeatedly, according to psychologytimes.co.uk. Researchers compare this feedback loop to patterns seen in other addictive behaviors, raising concerns about its long-term impact on developing teenage brains.
In response, Mr. Zuckerberg rejected claims that Instagram intentionally harms users. He testified that Meta has introduced safety features, including parental controls, time management tools, and stronger privacy settings for minors. He argued that the company does not aim to maximize the amount of time users spend on platforms, emphasizing that long-term user satisfaction matters more than short term engagement, according to yahoonews.com.
“If you do something that’s not good for people, maybe they’ll spend more time [on Instagram] short term, but if they’re not happy with it, they’re not going to use it over time,” Mr. Zuckerberg said, according to yahoonews.com. “I’m not trying to maximize the amount of time people spend every month.”
However, attorneys presented internal company communications that appear to contradict these claims. Documents from within Meta suggest that executives closely monitored user engagement and explored ways to increase the time people spend on the platform, according to techcrunch.com. One internal discussion referenced a potential 12 percent increase in user time, raising questions about whether business goals aligned with public statements about user well-being.
Testimony from Mr. Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram, added another aspect to the debate. Mr. Mosseri argued that critics often confuse problematic use with clinical addiction, emphasizing that not all frequent social media use qualifies as harmful. He maintained that Instagram continues to develop tools aimed at protecting users and improving their experience, according to yahoo.com.
Beyond expert testimony, emotional accounts from families have shaped the trial’s impact. Several parents who lost their children to suicide attended the proceedings, some wearing symbolic items in honor of their children. Many of these families have filed similar lawsuits, arguing that prolonged social media exposure contributed to severe mental health struggles, including eating disorders, self-harm, and depression, according to theverge.com.
Meta’s legal team countered that the evidence does not prove causation. Defense attorneys argued that the plaintiff experienced mental health challenges before her social media use intensified and suggested that she turned to online platforms as a coping mechanism rather than developing problems because of them. This argument raises the question of whether social media actually creates harm or mainly intensify issues that already exist, according to apnews.com.
The case also challenges long-standing legal protections under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which generally shields technology companies from liability for user-generated content. Unlike previous cases, this lawsuit focuses on platform design rather than individual posts, arguing that companies should be held accountable for creating systems that encourage compulsive behavior among minors, according to The New York Times.
As the trial continues, it raises broader questions about the role social media plays in teenagers’ lives. Millions of adolescents rely on platforms like Instagram to connect with friends, share experiences, and build communities. At the same time, critics argue that these platforms intensify social comparison, amplify body image concerns, and create pressure to maintain a curated online identity, according to nbcc.com.
Ultimately, the outcome of this case could reshape the future of social media. A ruling against Meta may force companies to redesign key features and implement stronger protections for young users. Regardless of the verdict, the trial has already sparked nationwide conversation about digital responsibility, mental health, and the growing influence of technology on the next generation. Ms. Dani Pinter, Chief Legal Officer and Directer of the Law Center, National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE), explained the implications of this trial, according to techpolicy.press.
“[If Meta and the other firms are found liable,] it will reveal the truth to the the world about what Meta knows about the dangers and harms its platforms inflict on users,” Ms. Pinter said, according to techpolicy.press. “A finding of liability establishes a baseline for social media platforms’ broader responsibilities regarding certain dangerous features, particularly those related to child users.”
Featured Image by Michaela White ’26
