The now-20-year old told jurors she felt compelled to frequently check accounts to make sure she hadn't missed anything. ...

Meta quietly tried to block attorneys from asking Mark Zuckerberg about his massive fortune at the bombshell social media addiction trial in Los Angeles, according to court documents reviewed by The Post.The owner of Instagram and Facebook made a confidential request to “shield Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s founder, CEO, and controlling shareholder, from the very same scrutiny that other witnesses have faced,” according to a filing unsealed last Friday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.The plaintiffs allege th ...

Core Viewpoint - A California woman is testifying against Meta Platforms and YouTube, claiming that their platforms contributed to her mental health issues, including depression and body dysmorphia, stemming from her early use of these social media services [2][3]. Group 1: Plaintiff's Claims - The plaintiff, known as Kaley G.M., began using Instagram at age 9 and YouTube at age 6, alleging that these platforms were designed to hook young users despite known mental health risks [2][3]. - Her lawyers argue that features like autoplay videos and endless scrolling were intentionally designed to keep users engaged longer, which they claim exacerbated mental health issues among younger users [6]. - An internal study by Meta indicated that teens with difficult life circumstances reported more habitual or unintentional use of Instagram, supporting the plaintiff's claims [5]. Group 2: Legal Context and Defense - The trial is part of a larger global backlash against social media companies regarding their impact on children and teens, with some countries implementing restrictions on young users [3]. - To win the case, the plaintiff's lawyers must demonstrate that the companies' design and operation of their platforms significantly contributed to her mental health issues [4]. - YouTube's defense argues that the plaintiff did not utilize available features meant to protect users from bullying, such as comment deletion and time management tools [7].

Core Viewpoint - Instagram's chief Adam Mosseri testified that while there can be problematic usage of social media, he does not classify it as addiction, emphasizing the distinction between clinical addiction and problematic use [1][2] Group 1: Testimony and Legal Context - Mosseri acknowledged that the term addiction can be used casually, differentiating personal feelings of excessive use from clinical definitions [2] - The ongoing trial in Los Angeles involves a plaintiff alleging that social media platforms, including Instagram, misled the public about app safety and contributed to mental health issues in young users [2][4] - TikTok and Snap were initially part of the lawsuit but have settled, leaving Instagram as the primary focus regarding its impact on the plaintiff's mental health [3] Group 2: Company Decisions and Responsibilities - The plaintiff's lawyer questioned Mosseri about Instagram's design choices that may lead to negative mental health effects, highlighting the role of executives in decision-making [5] - Mosseri stated that the protection of minors is a priority, asserting that safeguarding children aligns with long-term business interests [6] - The trial is part of a broader trend of legal scrutiny on social media platforms concerning their safety and awareness of potential risks to children [6]

IS TERRIFYING. >> A PERSON MASKED AND ARMED, CAUGHT ON THE FRONT DOOR CAMERA IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF THE DAY. SHE VANISHED.THE LATEST IN JUST A MOMENT. ALSO THIS MORNING, TRAGEDY IN CANADA. NINE PEOPLE DEAD, DOZENS MORE INJURED IN A HORRIFIC MASS SHOOTING THAT IS ROCKING A REMOTE COMMUNITY JUST NORTH OF VANCOUVER.THE SUSPECT, POLICE SAY, SUCCUMBING TO A SELF-INFLICTED GUNSHOT WOUND. WHAT WE KNOW THIS MORNING ABOUT WHAT HAS BECOME ONE OF THAT NATION'S DEADLIEST INCIDENTS OF GUN VIOLENCE EVER. PLUS, ANO ...

Core Argument - The trial against Google and Meta Platforms Inc. centers on a 20-year-old woman, Kaley, who is presented as a victim of social media addiction, despite her own claims and evidence suggesting she does not consider herself addicted [1][2][3] Company and Industry Insights - The trial is a significant test for numerous lawsuits targeting major social media companies, including TikTok and Snap, which have settled prior to the trial [4] - Kaley's average YouTube usage was reported as 29 minutes per day over the last five years, with only 4 minutes and 9 seconds spent on autoplay suggestions daily [11][12] - Kaley's lawyer accused social media platforms of intentionally designing features to keep children engaged, likening it to a slot machine [9][11] - Meta and Google have denied allegations of fostering addiction, emphasizing user control over features like autoplay and infinite scroll [7][8] - Kaley's social media interactions were predominantly on TikTok (71%), followed by Snapchat (15%), Instagram (12%), and YouTube (2%) [16] - The defense argued that Kaley's psychological distress stemmed from family issues and bullying, rather than social media usage [16][19] - Kaley's mental health treatment records show minimal references to social media addiction, with over 260 sessions focusing on other issues [21][22] - High-profile testimonies are expected from Meta's Adam Mosseri and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, as well as YouTube's Neal Mohan, alongside expert witnesses in child psychology [22]

Core Argument - Three major tech companies, Meta, ByteDance, and Google, are facing a landmark trial in Los Angeles over allegations that their platforms intentionally addict and harm children [1] Group 1: Trial Details - Jury selection for the trial begins this week, marking the first time these companies will present their case before a jury, which could significantly impact their operations regarding child users [2] - The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks, with executives, including Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg, anticipated to testify [6] Group 2: Lawsuit Background - The case centers around a 19-year-old plaintiff, KGM, whose experiences with social media are claimed to have led to addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts, suggesting that the companies designed their platforms to be addictive for profit [3][4] - The lawsuit argues that the companies employed behavioral techniques similar to those used in gambling and tobacco industries to maximize youth engagement and advertising revenue [5] Group 3: Company Responses and Broader Implications - The tech companies dispute the allegations, asserting that they have implemented numerous safeguards and are not liable for third-party content on their platforms [7] - Meta has stated that attributing teen mental health issues solely to social media oversimplifies a complex problem, highlighting various factors affecting youth today [8] - This case is part of a broader trend, with over 40 state attorneys general filing lawsuits against Meta for allegedly contributing to the youth mental health crisis through their platform designs [10]

Core Viewpoint - New York City has filed a lawsuit against major social media platforms, including Facebook, Google, Snapchat, and TikTok, accusing them of contributing to a mental health crisis among children by making their platforms addictive [1][4]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit is a 327-page complaint filed in Manhattan federal court, seeking damages from Meta Platforms, Alphabet, Snap, and ByteDance for gross negligence and public nuisance [1]. - New York City is one of the largest plaintiffs, representing a population of 8.48 million, including approximately 1.8 million individuals under the age of 18 [4]. - The city has joined a larger movement, participating in about 2,050 similar lawsuits across the nation, particularly in federal court in Oakland, California [2]. Group 2: Allegations Against Defendants - The complaint alleges that the defendants designed their platforms to exploit the psychology and neurophysiology of youth, leading to compulsive usage for profit [6][10]. - Statistics indicate that 77.3% of high school students in New York City, and 82.1% of girls, reported spending three or more hours daily on screens, which has resulted in lost sleep and chronic school absences [6]. Group 3: Public Health Concerns - New York City's health commissioner has labeled social media as a public health hazard, prompting increased taxpayer spending to address the youth mental health crisis [7]. - The lawsuit also links social media usage to dangerous behaviors, such as "subway surfing," which has resulted in at least 16 fatalities since 2023, including two young girls [10]. Group 4: Responses from Defendants - A spokesperson for Google has denied the allegations regarding YouTube, asserting that it functions as a streaming service rather than a social network [5]. - Other defendants have not yet responded to the lawsuit [5]. Group 5: Financial Implications - The city claims that it is left to manage the consequences of the defendants' actions, stating that they should be held accountable for the harms caused [11].