In a landmark trial in Los Angeles, California, Kaley G M appeared in court and shared her personal story. She said she started using Instagram at the age of 9 and YouTube at just 6. According to her, long hours on these platforms led to depression and body dysmorphia.

The case is against Meta Platforms, which owns Instagram, and YouTube, owned by Google.

Her lawyers argue that these companies knowingly designed their platforms to keep young users hooked. They claim the firms continued to profit despite research showing harmful effects on children.

Earlier hearings focused on what the companies knew about the risks for young users. Mark Zuckerberg admitted there were discussions about creating products for children, but those plans were never launched.

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Now the court is hearing details about Kaley’s personal experience. Her legal team must prove that features like autoplay videos and endless scrolling directly contributed to her mental health struggles.

Lawyers presented internal research from Meta suggesting that teenagers facing personal challenges often used Instagram repeatedly. Meanwhile, YouTube’s legal team argued that Kaley did not use the safety and protective tools available on the platform.

Some countries, including Australia, have already introduced restrictions on young users accessing such platforms. Others are considering similar laws.

The final verdict could have a major impact on how social media companies operate and how children are protected online.

This case is more than one person’s story. It questions how social media platforms are built. If the court rules in her favor, tech companies may face stricter rules. Parents and regulators are watching closely. The result may shape the future of child safety online.