Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial Begins as Plaintiff Testifies She Was Online 'All Day Long' as a Child

A 20-year-old woman took the stand Thursday in a landmark social media addiction trial, testifying that she spent 'all day long' on platforms as a child in what could become the most consequential legal reckoning the tech industry has ever faced. The case, brought against major social media companies, alleges that their products are deliberately designed to be addictive to minors — and that the companies knew the harm they were causing. A verdict against the platforms could set legal precedent for billions in liability and force fundamental changes to how social media companies design products used by children. The trial arrives as Germany's ruling party backs a social media ban for children under 14 and New York's attorney general sues Valve over 'loot box' gambling mechanics in video games.