Lawyers in landmark social media addiction trial make final appeals to the jury

A jury in Los Angeles is set to decide if social media companies like Meta and YouTube should be held responsible for the negative effects their platforms may have on young users. This trial involves a 20-year-old woman, referred to as Kaley, who claims that her early use of social media led to addiction and worsened her mental health issues, including depression and suicidal thoughts. The case is significant because its outcome could influence thousands of similar lawsuits. Kaley’s lawyers argue that she was vulnerable and exploited by these platforms, while the companies claim she used social media to cope with pre-existing challenges. The trial also highlights differing views on whether platforms like YouTube are inherently addictive. QUESTION: How might the outcome of this trial change the way social media companies design their platforms for young users?