Landmark US Lawsuit Ignites Debate on Social Media Addiction, Mental Health in Children
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Firstpost•28-01-2026, 11:24
Landmark US Lawsuit Ignites Debate on Social Media Addiction, Mental Health in Children
- •A 19-year-old California woman, KGM, and her mother, Karen Glenn, are suing TikTok, Meta, and Google's YouTube, alleging addictive design harmed KGM's mental health.
- •The lawsuit claims platforms knowingly designed features that led to self-harm and suicidal thoughts in the teenager, setting a potential precedent for tech giant accountability.
- •Top executives from Meta, TikTok, and YouTube are expected to testify, with plaintiffs arguing deliberate design to keep minors compulsively engaged despite known mental health risks.
- •Clinical psychologist Dr. Pulkit Sharma highlights social media overuse impacts physical, mental, and emotional health, leading to behavioral issues and a skewed view of reality in children.
- •The World Health Organization (WHO) defines "problematic social media use" with addiction-like symptoms; experts urge moderation and parental boundaries over outright bans.
Why It Matters: A US lawsuit against tech giants highlights social media's addictive design and its severe impact on children's mental health.
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