A landmark trial against Meta and YouTube has commenced in California, accusing the social media giants of creating "addiction machines" that negatively impact children's mental health. The lawsuit, brought by a plaintiff identified as K.G.M., alleges that the companies intentionally engineered their platforms to addict young users.

• The trial, expected to last six weeks, began with opening arguments from both sides before Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl and a jury.
• Attorney Mark Lanier, representing K.G.M., argued that Meta and YouTube built “machines designed to addict the brains of children, and they did it on purpose.”
• Attorney Paul Schmidt, for Meta, countered that K.G.M.'s mental health struggles stemmed from significant family turmoil, including neglect, abuse, and bullying.
• The outcome could set a benchmark for monetary damages in thousands of similar lawsuits across the United States.