Therapist's Expert Opinion
In a pivotal moment for a civil trial in Los Angeles Superior Court, Victoria Burke, a former psychotherapist, provided expert testimony. Her role was
to illuminate the potential impact of social media engagement on the mental well-being of a teenage plaintiff, identified only as Kaley G.M. Burke, who treated Kaley for several months in 2019 while the plaintiff was 13, initially diagnosed her with generalized anxiety disorder. This diagnosis was later revised to social phobia and body dysmorphic disorder, indicating significant struggles with social interaction and self-perception related to appearance. While Burke refrained from definitively stating social media as the sole cause of Kaley's adolescent challenges, she did assert under cross-examination that the plaintiff's online experiences were a "contributing factor" to her mental health issues. She recalled instances of Kaley reporting cyberbullying and attempting to disengage from social media, only to be drawn back. This testimony is critical for the next phase of the trial, which will delve deeper into the direct links between Kaley's usage of platforms like Instagram and YouTube, and her subsequent psychological struggles.
Platform Design Scrutiny
The lawsuit against Meta's Instagram and Alphabet's YouTube hinges on the argument that their deliberate design choices and business models exploit young users, particularly children, for profit. Kaley's legal team contends that features such as auto-playing videos, endless scrolling feeds, and the prominent use of 'like' buttons are intentionally crafted to foster addictive engagement. These elements, they argue, are implemented despite known risks to adolescent mental health, such as increased anxiety and distorted self-image exacerbated by beauty filters. The defense, however, maintains that users must be at least 13 to join, and points to available platform tools for managing usage and mitigating bullying, suggesting Kaley did not utilize these protective measures. YouTube's legal representation, for instance, cited records indicating Kaley's relatively low daily usage of Shorts (around 1 minute 14 seconds) and a five-year average streaming time of approximately 29 minutes, while the therapist, Burke, did not assess Kaley's overall daily social media usage duration. The central question remains whether the platform's design was a substantial factor in causing or worsening Kaley's diagnosed mental health conditions.
Broader Legal Context
This case is part of a growing global concern over the negative effects of social media on young individuals. Australia has already implemented a ban on platforms for users under 16, and other nations are considering similar restrictive measures. The tech companies involved vehemently deny the allegations, asserting that their platforms are not designed to be harmful and that users must meet age requirements. Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, previously testified that while products for children were discussed internally, none were ever launched. The plaintiff's lawyers are aiming to prove that the way these platforms are constructed and operated significantly contributed to Kaley's psychological distress. Furthermore, Meta's legal team highlighted Kaley's personal history, including parental divorce and alleged abuse, suggesting these factors might also influence her mental health, a narrative that Kaley's mother is expected to address as a witness. An internal Meta study noted that teens facing difficult life circumstances are more prone to habitual or unintentional Instagram use, a point likely to be considered by the court.
