Feb 10 β€’ 09:43 UTC πŸ‡±πŸ‡Ή Lithuania 15min

Lawyer: 'Meta' and 'YouTube' Created Addiction in Children'

A lawsuit in Los Angeles claims that Meta and YouTube intentionally designed their platforms to create addiction in children, leading to severe mental harm for one young woman.

A significant legal case is currently unfolding in Los Angeles, where attorney Mark Lanier is presenting a case against two of the wealthiest corporations in history, Meta and Google, alleging that they have intentionally designed their products to inflict addiction on children's brains. The argument centers around the idea that these companies, through platforms like Instagram and YouTube, have developed technologies tailored to ensnare users, particularly minors, by exploiting psychological triggers that lead to compulsive behavior and dependency.

The court is examining the specific impact of these platforms on one case in particular, involving a 20-year-old woman named Kayley G.M., who claims to have suffered severe mental health issues stemming from her childhood dependency on social media. Lanier argues that this dependency was not incidental but rather a deliberate strategy by the companies for profit maximization. He emphasizes that there is substantial evidence drawn from corporate practices and brain activity studies indicating that these platforms are designed with the intention of keeping users engaged at all costs.

As the trial progresses, it raises critical discussions about the responsibilities of tech companies concerning the mental health of young users. The implications of this case could be far-reaching, potentially setting legal precedents regarding how digital platforms are managed and the extent of their accountability for the psychological effects experienced by their users, especially children. The outcome could lead to increased scrutiny and regulation of social media companies and influence how tech products are developed and marketed towards younger audiences.

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