Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:54pm on 10 Feb 2026,Tuesday Tech Today
Instagram and YouTube stand accused of "engineering addiction in children's brains" in a landmark Los Angeles trial beginning February 10, 2026. Plaintiff lawyer Mark Lanier alleges Meta and Google deliberately designed addictive features: infinite scrolling, like buttons providing social validation, and body image filters. The case represents over 1,500 plaintiffs; TikTok and Snapchat already settled. A 20-year-old plaintiff, KGM, claims social media use from age six caused anxiety, depression, and body image issues. Meta's defense argues mental health struggles stem from other life factors, noting scientific disagreement over social media addiction's existence. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg will testify. Both companies deny allegations, emphasizing youth safety measures and parental controls. (PC: X)
