In a major social media trial in Los Angeles, a 20-year-old woman from California testified in court. She said she could not control her use of YouTube and Instagram during childhood.
Kaley G.M. told the jury she started using social media at around age six. Over time, the habit turned into an addiction. She said the platforms harmed her mental health. She reported depression, body-image problems, and self-harm behaviors.
“I was very young and spent almost all my time on it,” she said about YouTube.
“Whenever I tried to stay away, I couldn’t.”
She also continued using Instagram after being bullied. She feared missing out if she stopped.
Allegations Against Tech Companies
The trial is expected to run until late March. The jury will decide whether Meta and Google designed features that harmed her mental health.
Meta owns Instagram, while Google owns YouTube. Last week, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in court. He denied claims that the company failed to protect minors or profit from them.
Emotional Testimony in Court
During questioning, Kaley said social media trapped her at a young age. She described herself as emotionally vulnerable.
“I’m very nervous,” she told the court.
She said her mother made her leave the phone in the living room at night. However, she would retrieve it after her mother slept. She returned it before morning.
“I became very upset when I could not use the apps,” she said.
Her lawyer Mark Lanier cited court records. They showed she once used Instagram for 16 hours in a single day.
Kaley said she began therapy at age 12. In the first session, she reported “excessive worrying because of social media.” She also struggled to interact with her family.
“I talked to them less because I spent most of my time online,” she testified.
Filters, Body Image and Health Impact
Kaley said she often used Instagram filters from a young age. She made her eyes appear larger and her ears smaller. The jury also saw a video where she complained about being overweight.
When shown a poster of her photos, she admitted almost every picture had a filter.
She was asked if her life, sleep, health, and studies would improve without social media. She answered, “Yes.”
Future Plans and Wider Impact
Despite her experiences, Kaley said she wants to become a social media manager. She hopes to use skills learned online.
This case is the first of three trials in the same court. Judges will examine whether the platforms encouraged compulsive use among young users.
The verdict may affect thousands of lawsuits. Many plaintiffs blame social media for rising depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and suicide among teenagers.
Similar cases, including lawsuits from school districts, continue in federal and state courts across the United States.