Instagram and YouTube Owners Built ‘Addiction Machines’, Trial Hears
The world’s largest social media companies are facing serious allegations of creating addiction machines. A landmark trial has commenced in California to investigate the mental health effects of Instagram and YouTube.
Opening Arguments and Allegations
In the opening statements before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl, attorney Mark Lanier argued that his client, referred to as K.G.M. or Kaley G.M., experienced significant mental health issues due to her social media addiction.
– Key Statements by Lanier:
– “These companies built machines designed to addict the brains of children, and they did it on purpose.”
– He accused Meta and YouTube of failing to warn young users about the dangers associated with their platform designs.
Lanier emphasized his points through a tangible display of children’s blocks, spelling out the words “Addicting,” “Brains,” and “Children.”
– Pointing Out Corporate Responsibility:
– Lanier stated, “This case is about two of the richest corporations in history who have engineered addiction in children’s brains.”
– He promised to reveal internal documents and emails that illustrate the companies’ knowledge of their platforms’ addictive nature.
Evidence of Manipulation
Lanier shared a portion of a 2015 email from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, where he requested a 12% increase in time spent on their platforms to meet business goals.
– He highlighted how YouTube strategically targeted younger audiences to charge advertisers more than on its YouTube Kids platform, labeling the site as a digital babysitting service.
Defense Arguments
When it was Meta’s turn, attorney Paul Schmidt countered by questioning whether Instagram was truly a significant factor in K.G.M.’s struggles.
– Personal Context of K.G.M.:
– Schmidt detailed her challenging family life, including issues like neglect and bullying, portraying her resilience as she sought therapy from a young age.
– He presented harsh statements made by K.G.M. about her home life, stating, “I recognize those are tough quotes… that is what you have to consider.”
Implications and Future Testimonies
The trial marks the beginning of what could be a six-week legal battle with substantial implications for similar cases nationwide.
– Expected Testimony:
– Key figures, including Zuckerberg, Adam Mosseri (head of Instagram), and Neal Mohan (CEO of YouTube), will likely testify, as will former Meta employees turned whistleblowers addressing social media addiction among children.
The outcome could set a precedent for monetary damages that may affect numerous lawsuits filed by families, state prosecutors, and school districts across the United States.
State Actions Against Meta
In a separate case, 29 state Attorneys General are demanding significant changes to Meta’s practices.
– Recent Legal Requests Include:
– Removing accounts of users under 13 and deleting corresponding data.
– Implementing time restrictions for young users and disabling “addictive” features like infinite scroll.
Meta has made some progress in promoting features for “teen accounts” on Instagram, but attorneys argue these actions are insufficient.
Community Response and Conclusion
The proceedings are being closely watched, with about one hundred attendees, including parents affected by these issues.
– The companies maintain that they are not liable for user-posted content under federal law.
With Snapchat-parent Snap and TikTok having settled with K.G.M. just prior to the trial’s commencement, the focus now turns to Instagram and YouTube.
This trial is vital not only for K.G.M. but for countless families navigating the complexities of social media addiction. As the case unfolds, it may lead to crucial changes in how these platforms operate, ultimately striving for safer online spaces for children.