Tech Trial: Jury Selection Starts in LA Teen Addiction Suit
Two teenagers from Mississippi and California sue Meta and Snap, alleging specific app features worsened their mental health.
By Allison Rojas ·
Los Angeles Superior Court will begin selecting a jury this Wednesday to hear claims that social media giants designed their platforms to hook young users. The case involves two teenage plaintiffs who say features like Snapstreaks and view counts contributed to their psychological decline. If the jury finds for the plaintiffs, the verdict could set a precedent for similar lawsuits currently pending against major tech firms.
The complaint centers on K.D.B., an 18-year-old from Mississippi, who alleges that compulsive use of Snapchat and Instagram led to depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. Her lawyers argue that the addictive qualities of the products remain unknown to minor users and their parents. The plaintiffs seek to prove that the algorithms and design choices directly caused their harm rather than serving as a neutral tool for communication.
Snap spokespersons told ABC News that the allegations misrepresent the plaintiffs' experiences. They stated that Snapchat opens to a camera rather than a ranking feed, which they argue distinguishes it from traditional social media. The company cited built-in safeguards, safety tools, and educational resources as evidence that the platform prioritizes community safety. A Meta spokesperson disagreed with the claims, noting that a young person's mental health is shaped by many factors. They pointed out that the plaintiff used TikTok more frequently than Instagram or Facebook and that her personal circumstances were a substantial factor in her struggles.
Meta has emphasized its decade-long efforts to build protections for teens. The company referenced a recent agreement with 52 bipartisan attorneys general that includes strict time limits, no access at night, and no notifications during school hours. Meta hopes this agreement will become a new industry standard that other companies, including TikTok, YouTube, and Snap, will adopt to improve safety for young users.
Key executives are scheduled to testify in November. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, will take the stand alongside Evan Spiegel, CEO of Snap, and Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram. Their testimony is expected to focus on internal design decisions and the company's awareness of potential risks to teenage users. The trial follows a similar case against Meta and YouTube in March, where a jury awarded plaintiff K.G.M. $6 million in damages. That decision is currently under appeal.
The legal pressure on Meta has increased throughout 2026. In August, the company reached a settlement with 48 states to pay up to $18 billion. The agreement requires Meta to make changes to its apps for young users, such as setting time limits, disabling certain filters, and hiding like counts. Meta did not admit wrongdoing in that settlement. The current trial adds another layer of scrutiny as states, school districts, and individuals continue to use the courts to force changes to tech products.
