Landmark Trials Put Meta and YouTube in the Dock Over Child Addiction Claims
Two precedent-setting US lawsuits accusing Meta and YouTube of deliberately designing addictive platforms that harm children begin this week, with Zuckerberg expected to testify.
Feb 10, 2026, 12:02 AM
Two landmark lawsuits that could reshape the legal landscape for social media companies went to trial this week in the United States, with opening arguments beginning on Monday in cases that accuse Meta and YouTube of deliberately designing their platforms to addict children and harm their mental health Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms beginsfrance24.com·SecondaryTo display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms..
The first case, brought by the New Mexico attorney general's office, alleges that Meta failed to protect children from sexually explicit material on Facebook and Instagram. Prosecutors told jurors that the company prioritised profits over the safety of young users, pointing to internal documents and testimony that they say will demonstrate Meta's awareness of its platforms' harmful effects on minors Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms beginsfrance24.com·SecondaryTo display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms..
A separate and more wide-reaching case in Los Angeles County Superior Court centres on a 19-year-old plaintiff identified as K.G.M., who claims that her use of Meta's Instagram and Google-owned YouTube from an early age made her addicted to the platforms and worsened her depression and suicidal thoughts . The lawsuit alleges that the companies borrowed from behavioural techniques used by the gambling and tobacco industries, deliberately embedding design features aimed at maximising youth engagement to drive advertising revenue Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms beginsfrance24.com·SecondaryTo display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms..
A Wave of Legal Challenges
The New Mexico and California cases are the vanguard of approximately 40 lawsuits filed by state attorneys general across the United States against Meta, all alleging that the company is damaging the mental health of young Americans . TikTok and Snap were also named in the original California lawsuit but later reached settlements under undisclosed terms Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms beginsfrance24.com·SecondaryTo display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms..
The California trial, expected to last six to eight weeks, serves as a test case for thousands of similar lawsuits seeking damages for social media harms. Legal experts say the outcome could erode the longstanding legal shield that has protected tech companies from liability for content posted by users on their platforms Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms beginsfrance24.com·SecondaryTo display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms..
Discovery Reveals Internal Concerns
The proceedings come amid damaging revelations from the discovery process. The New Mexico attorney general's office disclosed that Meta did not implement adequate safeguards to prevent children from accessing sexualised chatbots on Facebook and Instagram Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms beginsfrance24.com·SecondaryTo display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms.. Internal emails obtained by the court showed that some of Meta's own safety staff had raised objections to the company's development of AI chatbots designed for companionship, including sexual and romantic interactions with users Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms beginsfrance24.com·SecondaryTo display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms..
The artificial intelligence chatbots were released in early 2024. Meta added parental controls to the chatbots in October 2025 Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms beginsfrance24.com·SecondaryTo display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms..
Companies Push Back
Meta has strongly disputed the allegations, arguing that the lawsuits oversimplify a complex issue. The company has said in public statements that teen mental health is influenced by multiple factors including academic pressure, school safety, socio-economic challenges, and substance abuse, and that singling out social media ignores broader research Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms beginsfrance24.com·SecondaryTo display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms.. A Meta spokesperson said the company is confident that evidence will demonstrate its commitment to supporting young people Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms beginsfrance24.com·SecondaryTo display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms..
Google has also rejected the claims against YouTube. A company spokesperson called the allegations untrue, stating that providing young people with a safer and healthier experience has always been central to the platform's work Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms beginsfrance24.com·SecondaryTo display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms..
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to take the witness stand during the California trial, marking a significant moment in the broader confrontation between Big Tech and regulators Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms beginsfrance24.com·SecondaryTo display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms..
Stakes Extend Beyond Social Media
Legal scholars have described the trials as potentially existential for the social media industry. Eric Goldman, a professor at Santa Clara University School of Law, told Al Jazeera that if the companies are found liable for harms suffered by users, the resulting damages could exceed the defendants' financial capacity Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms beginsfrance24.com·SecondaryTo display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms..
Goldman warned that a verdict against the platforms would not only strip companies of editorial control over their services but could also establish legal precedents applicable to video game makers and generative artificial intelligence companies Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms beginsfrance24.com·SecondaryTo display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms.. Lawsuits are already pending that allege interactions with OpenAI's ChatGPT contributed to instances of suicide and murder-suicide Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms beginsfrance24.com·SecondaryTo display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms..
The trials unfold against a backdrop of intensifying public concern about children's screen time and growing bipartisan political support for stronger tech regulation. While the immediate legal question is narrow — whether platform design choices constitute actionable harm — the broader implications could fundamentally alter how technology companies operate and how they are held accountable for their products' effects on vulnerable users Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms beginsfrance24.com·SecondaryTo display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms..
Despite the legal headwinds, Meta's stock was trading up more than 3 percent in midday trading on Monday Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms beginsfrance24.com·SecondaryTo display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms..
AI Transparency
Why this article was written and how editorial decisions were made.
Why This Topic
These trials represent a watershed moment in technology regulation and children's digital safety. They are the first time major social media companies face jury trials over allegations of deliberately designing addictive products that harm minors. The outcome could reshape legal liability frameworks for the entire technology industry, potentially extending to video games and AI. The involvement of 40 state attorneys general and expected testimony from Mark Zuckerberg underscores the national significance. The topic directly affects millions of families and has bipartisan political relevance.
Source Selection
This article draws on two Tier 1 international news sources: Al Jazeera's comprehensive report by Andy Hirschfeld, which provides detailed coverage of both trials including courtroom statements, internal documents, company responses, and expert legal analysis; and France 24's coverage featuring an interview with former Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen. Both sources are internationally recognised outlets with established editorial standards. The Al Jazeera piece in particular provides extensive direct quotes from legal proceedings and company statements, ensuring factual accuracy.
Editorial Decisions
This article focuses on both the New Mexico and California trials as parallel legal challenges to social media companies over child safety. We excluded detailed coverage of the TikTok and Snap settlements since terms were undisclosed and they are no longer defendants in the California case. The piece balances plaintiff allegations with company responses and includes independent legal analysis on broader implications. We chose not to speculate on trial outcomes or editorialize on the merits of either side's arguments.
Reader Ratings
About the Author
Sources
- 1.france24.comSecondary
- 2.aljazeera.comSecondary
Editorial Reviews
1 approved · 0 rejectedPrevious Draft Feedback (1)
• analytical_value scored 3/2 minimum: The article gestures at broader implications (legal precedent, regulatory pressure) and quotes an expert on possible fallout, but it stops short of deeper analysis about likely legal outcomes, evidentiary challenges, or how rulings might be operationalized in product design or regulation. • filler_and_redundancy scored 4/3 minimum: The draft is generally concise and avoids repetitive paragraphs; minor repetition occurs around the theme of industry-wide consequences, but there is little outright padding. • language_and_clarity scored 4/3 minimum: Writing is clear and accessible, avoids loaded labels without substantiation, and attributes claims to parties and documents; however, a couple of statements (e.g., 'deliberately designing to addict') mirror plaintiffs' framing and could be more clearly qualified as allegations throughout. Warnings: • [article_quality] depth_and_context scored 3 (borderline): The article gives basic background on the two trials, related lawsuits, discovery revelations and possible industry-wide implications, but it lacks deeper historical context (e.g., prior precedent, specific legal theories being tested, or data on youth harms) that would help readers fully grasp 'why it matters.' • [article_quality] narrative_structure scored 3 (borderline): There is a clear lede and topical sections (cases, discovery, companies' responses, stakes), so the piece is readable, but the lede is broad rather than a sharp news hook and the ending is diffuse rather than a strong, conclusive close. • [article_quality] perspective_diversity scored 3 (borderline): The draft includes plaintiffs' allegations, company rebuttals, and a legal scholar's view, but it omits other useful perspectives such as independent child-psychology researchers, industry trade groups, defense attorneys' detailed counterarguments, or voices from affected families. • [article_quality] publication_readiness scored 4 (borderline): The piece reads like a near-ready news article with appropriate sections and attribution, but it contains minor issues (date inconsistency: mentions chatbots released in 2024 then parental controls in October 2025, and it uses bracketed source markers that suggest draft linking) that should be fixed before publication.
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