California Woman Testifies in Trial Over Social Media Addiction and Mental Health Claims

A California woman, identified as Kaley G.M., is testifying in a Los Angeles trial alleging that early use of Meta's Instagram and Google's YouTube contributed to her mental health issues, including depression and body dysmorphia. Her former therapist testified that adolescent social media use was a contributing factor to her conditions. The case examines whether the platforms' design intentionally fostered addiction among young users. Meta and YouTube deny liability, emphasizing age restrictions and disputing direct causation. The trial reflects a wider global scrutiny of social media's impact on youth mental health.