Amaravati, February 10, 2026: Opening statements unfolded in a California courtroom as a young woman sued Meta (Instagram's parent) and Google (YouTube owner) for deliberately crafting addictive app features that hooked her as a child.
Lawyers presented internal documents claiming the platforms function like "addiction machines," using endless scrolling and algorithms to exploit young brains for profit, leading to depression and other issues.
Defendants deny the charges, pointing to user safeguards, external life factors, and legal protections for third-party content. The case, a potential bellwether among thousands of similar suits, could reshape youth safety rules worldwide.
