Mark Zuckerberg is set to take the stand on Wednesday in a landmark trial that could have massive consequences for the entire social media industry. The Meta CEO will testify in a Los Angeles courtroom where his company stands accused of fueling a youth mental health crisis, in a case many are calling social media’s “Big Tobacco” moment.
The trial, which started in late January, was brought by a young woman who claims she became addicted to apps like Instagram and YouTube. Her lawyers argue that the tech giants knew their products were harmful to young people’s mental health but chose to mislead the public about the dangers. They say the very design of the apps, with their attention-grabbing features, caused real damage.
While Snap and TikTok were also named in the lawsuit, both companies chose to settle with the plaintiff before the trial began, leaving Meta and YouTube to face the jury.
This is a high-stakes legal battle. Last week, the head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, testified that while it’s possible to use Instagram “more than you feel good about,” he doesn’t believe that’s the same as a clinical addiction. Now, Zuckerberg himself will have to answer those same tough questions under oath.
This is just one of several major lawsuits Meta is currently facing. In New Mexico, the company is on trial for allegedly failing to protect children from online predators. And this summer, another big trial is set to begin in California, with similar allegations that the companies built defective apps that led to unhealthy and addictive behaviors in kids. The outcome of these cases could forever change the way social media companies operate and the legal protections they have long enjoyed.
