In a groundbreaking trial taking place in Los Angeles, a 20-year-old woman has taken the stand to testify against major tech giants. These companies are accused of deliberately creating social media platforms that are addictive for young users, particularly children and teenagers.
Referred to as KGM in the courtroom, the woman plays a central role in this case. She claims her engagement with social media began at the tender age of 6, leading to a dependency on the apps.
KGM’s legal team argues that this dependency has significantly contributed to her struggles with anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia over the years.
During her testimony in the Los Angeles Superior Court, KGM shared the emotional turmoil she experienced when her posts on platforms like YouTube and Instagram failed to garner likes, comments, or subscriptions.
“I would just get really upset and sad and feel like I wasn’t worthy, I guess,” she recounted.
She further explained how the lack of online interaction left her feeling “insecure” and unattractive, impacting her self-esteem and sense of self-worth.
When asked by her lawyer why she continued using YouTube despite negative experiences, including bullying, she responded, “because being off of it bothered me more than the comments.”
A court observer noted that a female alternate juror began to cry, wiping away tears as KGM recounted her ongoing struggles with body dysmorphia.
Records presented in court showed that at one point, KGM spent 16 hours on Instagram in a single day.
She also testified that she would “scream and cry, throw a tantrum” if her mother tried to take away her phone.
“Without [her phone] I felt like a huge part of me was missing,” she said. “Without it, I couldn’t see who was liking my stuff.”
Earlier in the week, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg admitted it is difficult for Meta to enforce age restrictions on Instagram.
In a new statement about the trial, a Meta spokesperson said: “The question for the jury in Los Angeles is whether Instagram was a substantial factor in the plaintiff’s mental health struggles. The evidence will show she faced many significant, difficult challenges well before she ever used social media.”
TikTok and Snapchat were initially named as defendants in KGM’s case, but both companies reached undisclosed settlement agreements with the plaintiffs shortly before the trial began last month.
The terms of those settlements have not been publicly disclosed.
The trial continues.
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