Snapchat, in court in the US for the first time, alongside Instagram / The two apps are accused of causing addiction among young people

Snapchat and Instagram are facing allegations in Los Angeles that the platforms were designed to create addiction among teenagers. Jury selection began on Wednesday, and opening arguments are scheduled to begin on November 4 and continue until mid-December.

The trial represents Snap's first direct confrontation with a jury in this wave of litigation. Two girls, one 16-year-old from Illinois and the other 18-year-old from Mississippi, claim that using the platforms contributed to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and self-harm. The first plaintiff reached a settlement with Meta but is continuing the case against Snap.

Mark Zuckerberg, Evan Spiegel, and Adam Mosseri are expected to testify in November. The companies reject the allegations and maintain that mental health is influenced by numerous factors, while the plaintiffs' claims misrepresent how the platforms operate.