Mark Zuckerberg Testifies in Landmark Los Angeles Trial Over Social Media Addiction Claims

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom this week to testify in a high-stakes trial. This case marks the first time the tech founder has addressed a jury regarding the mental health impacts of his platforms. The legal battle centers on allegations that Meta deliberately engineered Instagram and Facebook to be addictive. Plaintiffs argue that these design choices have fueled a widespread youth mental health crisis.

The lawsuit was filed by a 20-year-old California woman identified in court as Kaley. She claims she began using social media as early as age six. Her attorneys presented evidence suggesting her prolonged use of these apps led to suicidal thoughts and anxiety. They described the platforms as defective products designed to exploit the vulnerabilities of young developing brains. Meta and co-defendant Google, which owns YouTube, have both denied these allegations.

During his testimony, Zuckerberg defended the company’s safety protocols and age verification efforts. He acknowledged that many young users lie about their age to access social media services. However, he maintained that Meta works actively to identify and remove underage accounts. He pushed back against the idea that features like infinite scrolling were created to cause clinical addiction. Instead, he argued that the company prioritizes building tools that users find genuinely useful.

Internal documents became a major focal point during the cross-examination. Lawyers for the plaintiff unspooled memos they claim show a corporate strategy to recruit younger children. One document reportedly suggested that winning with teenagers required attracting them as “tweens.” Zuckerberg countered that these emails were being taken out of context by the legal team. He emphasized that Meta has introduced numerous parental controls and safety features over the last decade.

The trial is considered a bellwether case for more than 1,500 similar lawsuits across the United States. Its outcome could establish a significant legal precedent for how social media companies are held liable. If the jury finds Meta responsible, the company could face massive financial penalties and mandated redesigns. Families and school districts nationwide are closely watching the proceedings for signs of a shifting legal landscape.

Attorneys for the tech giants argue that social media use is just one of many factors. They pointed to the plaintiff’s personal life as a significant contributor to her mental health struggles. The defense maintains that there is no scientific consensus proving social media is the sole cause of depression. Despite these arguments, the trial has drawn crowds of bereaved parents seeking accountability from Silicon Valley. The proceedings are expected to continue for several more weeks.