KGM sues Meta and Google over Instagram and YouTube addiction beginning at age 6, leading to depression and suicidal thoughts — first bellwether trial

Summary

A woman identified as KGM (Kaley G.M.) filed one of the first bellwether cases in the Social Media Adolescent Addiction MDL, alleging that Instagram and YouTube addiction beginning when she was approximately 6 years old led to clinical depression and suicidal thoughts. The lawsuit names Meta, Google, TikTok, and Snapchat, with Snap settling before trial. In January and February 2026, KGM's case became the first social media addiction case to proceed to jury trial in Los Angeles, with her mother Karen Glenn also testifying. Expert witnesses including Stanford psychiatry professor Anna Lembke testified that social media addiction is real and can cause or worsen anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The trial's outcome is expected to influence over 1,000 similar lawsuits.