Los Angeles (KABC) — A 20-year-old woman took the stand Thursday in a landmark trial that accused big tech companies of intentionally designing social media platforms to addict children and teens.
The woman – identified in court as KGM – is the lead plaintiff in the case, which claims she started using social media when she was six years old and became dependent on the apps.
Her lawyers say her drug dependency contributed to years of anxiety, depression and body dysmorphia.
In her testimony Thursday in a downtown Los Angeles Superior Courtroom, KGM described the emotional impact of not receiving likes, comments or subscribers on platforms like YouTube and Instagram.
“I was feeling really upset and sad and feeling like I didn’t deserve it I guess,” she said.
She added that the lack of online interaction made her feel “unsafe,” made her feel “looking ugly,” and “affected.” [her] Self-worth.”
When her lawyer asked her why she continued to use YouTube despite negative experiences, including bullying, she replied: “Because staying away from it bothered me more than the comments.”
A court observer noted that one alternate juror began to cry, wiping away tears as KGM recounted her ongoing struggles with body dysmorphia.
Records submitted to the court showed that at one point, KGM spent 16 hours on Instagram in one day.
She also testified that she would “scream, cry, throw a tantrum” if her mother tried to take her phone.
“without [her phone] “I felt like a big part of me was missing. Without that, I couldn’t see who loved my stuff,” she said.
Earlier in the week, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg admitted that it would be difficult for Meta to enforce age restrictions on Instagram.
In a new statement about the trial, a Meta spokesperson said: “The question for the jury in Los Angeles is whether Instagram was a material factor in the plaintiff’s mental health struggles. The evidence will show that she faced many significant and difficult challenges long before her use of social media.”
TikTok and Snapchat were initially named as defendants in the KGM case, but the companies reached undisclosed settlement agreements with plaintiffs shortly before the trial began last month.
The terms of those settlements were not publicly disclosed.
The trial continues.
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