Reuters·2026-02-26 16:34Core Viewpoint - A California woman, Kaley G.M., is testifying in a landmark trial against Meta Platforms and Google's YouTube, claiming that their social media platforms have harmed her mental health during childhood, contributing to issues like depression and body dysmorphia [1]. Group 1: Legal Proceedings - Kaley G.M. began using Instagram at age 9 and YouTube at age 6, alleging that these platforms contributed to her mental health issues [1]. - The trial is part of a broader global backlash against social media companies regarding their impact on children's mental health, with countries like Australia implementing bans on under-16s using such platforms [1]. - The case examines the companies' knowledge of social media's effects on children and their business strategies targeting younger users [1]. Group 2: Company Responses - Meta and YouTube have denied the allegations, asserting that the evidence does not support Kaley's claims [1]. - Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified that the company discussed but never launched products specifically for children [1]. - To succeed in the case, Kaley's lawyers must demonstrate that the design or operation of the platforms significantly contributed to her mental health issues [1].