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Meta and Google Face Lawsuit Over Social Media Addiction

WireByte Staff · July 12, 2026

A landmark lawsuit accuses Meta and Google of designing Instagram and YouTube to be addictive, with disastrous consequences for young people's mental wellbeing. The case, which began in February, has sparked concerns about the impact of social media on children's health. The outcome of the trial is pending.

Key points

  • The lawsuit, led by lawyer Mark Lanier, alleges that Meta and Google deliberately built products to keep children hooked on Instagram and YouTube.
  • The prosecution team had fought for an anonymous jury, but Meta's security guards wearing Meta Ray-Bans in court raised concerns about juror anonymity.
  • The case has been likened to a 'big tobacco moment' for big tech, with the industry facing scrutiny over its impact on children's mental health.
  • The trial began in February and is ongoing, with the outcome pending.
  • Analysts say the case could have significant implications for the social media industry, with some calling for greater regulation.

A landmark lawsuit has accused Meta and Google of designing Instagram and YouTube to be addictive, with disastrous consequences for young people's mental wellbeing. The case, which began in February, has sparked concerns about the impact of social media on children's health.

The lawsuit, led by lawyer Mark Lanier, alleges that Meta and Google deliberately built products to keep children hooked on Instagram and YouTube. The prosecution team had fought for an anonymous jury, but Meta's security guards wearing Meta Ray-Bans in court raised concerns about juror anonymity.

The case has been likened to a 'big tobacco moment' for big tech, with the industry facing scrutiny over its impact on children's mental health. The trial began in February and is ongoing, with the outcome pending.

Analysts say the case could have significant implications for the social media industry, with some calling for greater regulation. The outcome of the trial will be closely watched by regulators and industry leaders, who are under increasing pressure to address the impact of social media on children's health.

Sources

WireByte Staff — Editorial Team

The WireByte editorial team synthesises technology news from multiple primary sources, verifies the facts, and links every source. Articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed under our editorial policy.