What social media addiction looks like, according to the woman suing Meta and YouTube

Kaley began her journey with YouTube at just six years old, downloading the app on her iPod Touch to indulge in videos about lip gloss and the kids' game Animal Jam. By the age of eight, she was creating content herself, portraying an otter character while singing in a faux British accent. A year later, she jumped onto Instagram, cleverly bypassing parental restrictions set by her mother. Unfortunately, this early exposure led to what she describes as an addiction. As the years went by, Kaley found herself scrolling through YouTube and Instagram late into the night and even sneaking out of class to indulge in her online habits. Now 20 years old, she shared her ongoing struggles before a Los Angeles jury, part of a significant lawsuit against Meta and YouTube. This landmark case could pave the way for numerous lawsuits alleging that tech giants have intentionally created addictive platforms that harm young users. During her testimony, Kaley expressed, "Anytime I would try to set limits for myself, I couldn’t." Her identity in court is protected; she is referred to only by her first name due to the sensitive nature of her claims. Both Meta and YouTube have denied her allegations, arguing that social media is not addictive. YouTube contested Kaley's claims about her time spent on the platform, while Meta pointed to her upbringing as the root of her mental health issues. They assert that significant investments have been made in safety features for younger users, although many of these measures were lacking during Kaley's formative years. By age ten, she had already uploaded 200 videos and created multiple accounts to inflate her perceived popularity. The lack of engagement on her posts often left her feeling inadequate. Despite experiencing bullying on the platform, she remained, as leaving felt more daunting. Kaley recounted her attempts to disconnect, noting that even turning off notifications was temporary; her curiosity about viewers' reactions always drew her back in. The autoplay feature on YouTube often ensnared her, leading to hours of unintended viewing. "I would say okay I’m going to get off after that, but then it would autoplay and I would be on for hours," she recalled. YouTube's defense claimed that her account data showed minimal daily use, while her attorney emphasized that Kaley often accessed the platform while logged out, particularly during her first two years. Kaley's history with Instagram began at age nine, utilizing a hand-me-down phone that had the app pre-installed. She sneaked to check her notifications first thing in the morning and before bed, often even during the night. She also admitted to manipulating her engagement by using multiple accounts and bots for likes. Additionally, she discussed the detrimental impact of Instagram's beauty filters on her self-image, which she believes contributed to her body dysmorphia, making her feel compelled to spend hours preparing her appearance each day. A poignant moment during her testimony came when she revealed her former therapist had asked her about her ideal life. Kaley's response focused on physical appearance, showcasing the deep-seated influence of social media on her self-worth. Despite Meta's claims that her childhood challenges were the root of her struggles, Kaley testified that social media siphoned away her attention, leaving her feeling isolated from friends and family. In moments of despair, she even contemplated suicide. Ultimately, she expressed that her life would be more fulfilling without social media, yet the platforms still exert a powerful hold over her, leading her to sneak time during work to engage with them. Kaley is now considering a future in social media marketing, reflecting the complex relationship many have with these digital platforms.