Social media giants face landmark addiction lawsuit in Los Angeles

A Los Angeles County lawsuit alleges TikTok, YouTube, Meta and Snap used design features to promote addictive use among young people. Jury selection for three bellwether trials has begun.

A lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleges that major social media companies used design and marketing features to promote addictive use, especially among young people. The case names TikTok, YouTube, Meta and Snap as defendants and cites techniques compared to those used in gambling and tobacco marketing. Jury selection has begun this week and three plaintiffs were chosen for bellwether trials, including a 19-year-old identified as KGM. The companies named in the suit dispute the claims and point to other factors affecting youth mental health. What we know: - The complaint alleges companies embedded habit-forming design features and targeted young people to boost engagement and ad revenue. - The case is being heard in Los Angeles County Superior Court and involves thousands of similar lawsuits that could follow. - Jury selection for the initial bellwether trials has started and three plaintiffs have been selected, one identified as a 19-year-old called KGM. - Defendants dispute the allegations and say other causes are involved in youth mental health trends. Summary: The bellwether trials are intended to act as preliminary cases that may shape how related lawsuits proceed and how they are argued. The immediate next step is completion of jury selection and the start of the bellwether trials; broader legal and policy effects are undetermined at this time.