Tech giants Meta, Snap, TikTok, and YouTube are facing a surge of lawsuits alleging that their platforms are designed to be intentionally addictive, causing harm to young users. This legal wave draws direct parallels to the landmark cases against Big Tobacco, arguing that these companies knowingly created products that led to widespread personal injury.
The Core of the Lawsuits
Thousands of lawsuits have been filed by teenagers, school districts, and states, accusing social media companies of exploiting psychological vulnerabilities to encourage excessive use. The lawsuits claim that this excessive use has led to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and body image issues among young people.
A key legal strategy is framing these platforms as “defective products”, similar to how tobacco companies were once held accountable for the addictive nature of cigarettes. If successful, this approach could open the door to massive financial damages and force significant design changes across social media.
First Trial Underway: K.G.M. vs. Tech Giants
The first major trial began Tuesday with jury selection in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The plaintiff, K.G.M., now 20, alleges that her addiction to social media as a child directly caused severe mental health problems.
Notably, Snap and TikTok settled with K.G.M. for undisclosed amounts just before the trial began, suggesting a preemptive attempt to mitigate legal risk. While the settlements’ terms remain confidential, they highlight the growing pressure on these companies.
Why This Matters: Accountability and Future Regulation
These cases represent a turning point in how social media companies are held responsible for user well-being. For years, these platforms have largely avoided liability by citing federal protections for user-generated content. However, this defense is eroding as lawsuits increasingly focus on the design of the platforms themselves, rather than what users post.
Legal experts like Benjamin Zipursky of Fordham Law School emphasize that this is a “cutting-edge” case with potentially far-reaching consequences. A victory for plaintiffs could trigger a flood of new lawsuits and force tech companies to rethink their product design and marketing practices.
The stakes are high: the outcome of these trials could reshape the legal landscape for social media, establishing a precedent for accountability that has been absent for too long.
