LOS ANGELES — Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is scheduled to testify Wednesday in a landmark trial examining allegations that the company’s social media platforms are designed to addict and harm children, a case that could set a precedent for similar lawsuits nationwide.
Zuckerberg will face questioning from attorneys representing KGM, a 20-year-aged woman who alleges that her early and extensive employ of social media contributed to depression and suicidal ideation. The lawsuit claims Meta’s Instagram platform deliberately exploited vulnerabilities in young users’ brains to maximize engagement, according to court documents.
The trial, considered a “bellwether” case, is one of three selected to gauge how similar claims against social media companies might fare in court. TikTok and Snap have already settled lawsuits related to these allegations, leaving Meta’s Instagram and Google’s YouTube as the remaining defendants. The outcome of this trial could significantly influence the trajectory of thousands of pending lawsuits against social media giants, according to legal experts.
Meta strongly disputes the allegations, asserting its “longstanding commitment to supporting young people,” a spokesperson stated. Paul Schmidt, an attorney representing Meta, argued in his opening statement that while KGM experienced mental health challenges, Instagram was not a substantial factor in those struggles. He pointed to the plaintiff’s medical records, which indicated a difficult home life, and suggested she turned to social media as a coping mechanism. YouTube’s legal team echoed this sentiment.
Zuckerberg’s testimony follows that of Instagram head Adam Mosseri, who last week told the court he does not believe people can become clinically addicted to social media. Mosseri maintained that Instagram prioritizes the safety of young users and that prioritizing user well-being is ultimately beneficial for the company’s long-term success. But, he faced intense questioning from the plaintiff’s attorney, Mark Lanier, regarding Instagram’s cosmetic filters and algorithmic feed, which Lanier argues are intentionally designed to be addictive.
Lanier is expected to revisit the topic of cosmetic filters with Zuckerberg, as well as delve into the mechanics of Instagram’s algorithm and the platform’s infinite scrolling feature, all of which the plaintiffs contend contribute to compulsive use. The trial comes as Meta is simultaneously defending itself in a separate case in Modern Mexico, further intensifying scrutiny of the company’s practices regarding youth mental health.
The case also highlights growing concerns about the impact of social media on young people, with a recent BBC report describing Instagram and YouTube as “addiction machines.” The trial is expected to feature testimony from bereaved parents, underscoring the real-world consequences of alleged social media harms.
