A landmark trial has commenced in Los Angeles, focusing on the alleged addictive nature of social media platforms Instagram and YouTube, and their potential harm to young users. The case, filed by a 20-year-old woman identified as K.G.M., claims that the platforms' designs contributed to her depression and suicidal thoughts. According to the South China Morning Post, the trial is a significant test of whether Big Tech can be held accountable for such harms. The Daily Times reports that this is the first addiction trial of its kind, with Meta Platforms and Google, the parent companies of Instagram and YouTube, respectively, facing scrutiny over their app designs. The trial has drawn comparisons to the tobacco industry's legal battles in the 1980s, as noted by Bloomberg Law, highlighting the gravity of the accusations against these tech giants.