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.