The world’s largest social media companies have begun a historic trial in which they are accused of designing “addiction machines” that target children’s brains. The case, which is being heard in the Los Angeles Superior Court of California, examines the impact of social media platforms on the mental health of young people.
Elchi.az reports that the case centers on plaintiff “K.G.M.” (Kaley G.M.), who claims to have suffered serious mental health problems due to social media addiction in childhood. Plaintiff’s attorney Mark Lanier argued in his opening remarks that Meta and YouTube knowingly and intentionally built these structures.
“Intentionally designed addiction”
The plaintiff claims that technology giants trap children on their platforms by using features such as “infinite scrolling”, “autoplay” and “like” buttons to increase advertising revenue.
Among the documents submitted to the court was an email written in 2015 by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, requiring a 12 percent increase in time spent on the platform to meet company goals.
Attorney Lanier claimed that the platforms’ operating principles are similar to those of gambling slot machines and the tobacco industry, and that the companies deceive parents with the promise of “digital babysitting” services.
Şayəstə