Landmark Case: Teen Sues Meta, Google Over "Addictive" Apps

A major US lawsuit claims social media giants deliberately harm young users. The case could change how tech companies design their products. A 20-year-old plaintiff, identified as KGM, is suing Meta and Google. She claims their platforms, Instagram and YouTube, used addictive design to keep her online. This excessive use, she argues, severely damaged her mental health. KGM states she began using YouTube at age six and Instagram at age nine. Her lawsuit alleges the companies knowingly built features that make their apps hard to put down. These "addictive design" tactics, she says, led to her overuse. The case places direct legal blame on the tech owners for user well-being. It argues that profit-driven design choices can cause real psychological harm. While many parents worry about screen time, this lawsuit tests those concerns in court. If successful, the case could force platforms to redesign their services. It sets a potential precedent for holding social media companies legally responsible for user addiction and mental health impacts.