(Washington Post via Yahoo!) – For years, parents alleged that top social media companies had gotten teens hooked on their products with addictive design features, arguing in legal filings these choices led to depression, anxiety, eating disorders – and in some tragic circumstances – death.

These stories helped spur a sweeping regulatory movement that led states and governments around the world to pass laws restricting teens’ use of social media and forced tech companies to take bolder actions to protect young people.

Now, those concerned parents will make their argument in court this week when the first of several high-profile social media addiction lawsuits against Meta, TikTok and YouTube goes to trial. These suits will test the proposition of whether social media causes psychological harm, which could have profound implications for the industry along with ordinary consumers. (Read More)