Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive officer of Meta Platforms, is set to appear in a landmark trial in the United States, where he will testify before a jury over allegations that his company’s social media platforms contribute to youth addiction and mental health harm, according to reporting by the British Broadcasting Corporation and other international outlets.
Zuckerberg is expected to take the stand in Los Angeles Superior Court, where plaintiffs claim features on apps such as Instagram owned by Meta were designed in ways that “hook” young users and exacerbate issues like anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The complaints were filed by a now-20-year-old woman identified by her initials in court documents, who argues her early and prolonged social media use worsened her mental health.
The trial is being closely watched as a potential precedent for thousands of similar lawsuits against major social media companies accused of addictive design practices. Zuckerberg’s testimony marks one of the first times he will face questioning in a US court specifically on this civil matter, distinct from past congressional appearances.
Legal experts say the outcome could influence how tech giants are held accountable for the societal impact of online platforms, particularly regarding youth safety and mental wellbeing.
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