Meta and Google, accused in the USA of intentionally creating addiction to social media among young people

A civil lawsuit was filed on February 9, 2026, in Los Angeles, California, in which Meta and Google are accused of creating "intentional addiction" among children and teenagers who use their social media platforms.

A 20-year-old woman, Kaley G.M., filed the complaint, claiming that she became addicted to social media since childhood and that this has caused her mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. The plaintiff's attorney, Mark Lanier, states that the platforms do not create addiction "by mistake," but intentionally, because addiction is profitable for companies.

In its defense, Meta's attorney argued that the young woman's mental health issues are related to her traumatic family experiences, not to social media. The trial could have significant implications for the civil liability of social media operators, considering that until now they have been exempt from liability.