Kids Lost in the Feed: A Legal Fight Over Social Media

A California woman is set to speak in court this Wednesday about how growing up on Instagram and YouTube hurt her mental health. She started using the apps at ages six and nine, and later blamed them for depression and body‑image worries. Her lawyers argue that the companies profited by targeting kids even though they knew social media could damage well‑being.

The Trial Begins

The trial began by asking what the companies learned about children’s reactions to their platforms and how they planned to keep young users hooked. Now the focus turns to her personal story of abuse, a divorce when she was three, and how endless scrolling and autoplay videos may have worsened her condition.

Meta’s Defense

Mark Zuckerberg, speaking for Meta, said the firm discussed but never launched products aimed at children. The woman’s team must prove that design choices—like the “like” button and beauty filters—directly caused her mental‑health decline. They also cite a Meta study showing teens with tough lives use Instagram more habitually.

YouTube’s Side

YouTube’s side claims she ignored tools meant to stop bullying, such as comment deletion and time limits. Court records show she spent just over a minute daily on Shorts, but about 29 minutes overall watching videos in the past five years.

Global Context

The case reflects a global push to protect teens, with countries like Australia already banning young users from these platforms.

What’s at Stake

If she wins, it could set a new standard for how social media companies treat children. The outcome will show whether legal pressure can change app design to better safeguard young minds.