Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is set to testify Wednesday in a landmark social media trial that could have wide‑ranging implications for how tech platforms are regulated and held accountable. The case, being heard in a Los Angeles state court, centres on a lawsuit brought by a 20‑year‑old plaintiff who alleges that Instagram owned by Meta and other major platforms were deliberately designed to be addictive for young users, contributing to mental health problems including depression and suicidal thoughts.
Zuckerberg’s testimony marks the first time he will answer such allegations before a jury, making this a critical moment in what many legal experts describe as a bellwether case one that could shape outcomes in thousands of similar lawsuits brought by families nationwide. Alongside Meta, Google‑owned YouTube remains a defendant; TikTok and Snap reportedly settled with the plaintiff before the trial began.
The trial team will question Zuckerberg on key design features of Meta’s platforms, including Instagram’s algorithm, endless scrolling, and features that critics argue hook young users into compulsive use. The plaintiff’s lawyers plan to draw on internal company documents and user‑experience evidence to support their case, while Meta denies deliberate wrongdoing, saying its tools aim to support user well‑being.
Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri already testified earlier in the proceedings, disputing the notion that social media constitutes clinical addiction and defending the company’s safety efforts. Jury deliberations are expected to continue through late March, with the outcome likely to influence future regulatory and legal approaches to social media and youth mental health.
The trial has drawn intense public interest as governments and families grapple with the societal impacts of digital platforms, especially on children and teenagers, and could signal a major shift in how technology companies are held responsible for user harm.
