...
By Shane Croucher
Senior Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is set to testify in a landmark trial that examines whether social media platforms knowingly design products that plaintiffs say are addictive and harmful to children.
Zuckerberg is expected to face questioning on Wednesday from attorneys representing a now 20-year-old woman, identified in court filings as KGM.
The woman alleges that her early use of social media platforms, including Meta's Instagram, led to addiction and worsened depression and suicidal thoughts. Meta Platforms and Google's YouTube are the remaining defendants in the case. TikTok and Snap previously reached settlements.
Read More on News
The case at the Los Angeles Superior Court is one of three selected as bellwether trials, meaning the outcome could influence how thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies are handled nationwide.
- Essential Reading: China's AI Trump Card: High-Quality Slopaganda
- Uncommon Knowledge: MAGA Is Losing the Culture War in the Strangest Places
While Zuckerberg has testified before Congress and in other legal proceedings—including hearings focused on youth safety, where he apologized to families who said social media contributed to tragedies in their lives—this trial marks the first time he will answer similar questions before a jury.
Bereaved parents are again expected to attend, though public seating in the courtroom is limited.
A Meta spokesperson said the company strongly disagreed with the allegations and was "confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people."
...
The KGM Social Media Trial So Far
In his opening statement, Meta attorney Paul Schmidt said the company did not dispute that KGM experienced mental health struggles, but he denied that Instagram was a substantial factor in causing them.
Schmidt cited medical records describing a turbulent home life and argued—along with counsel for YouTube—that KGM used social media as a coping mechanism rather than being harmed by it.
Adam Mosseri, the CEO of Instagram, testified last week. He disagreed with the idea that people could be clinically addicted to social media and maintained that Instagram worked to protect young users. He told the court it was "not good for the company, over the long run, to make decisions that profit for us but are poor for people's well-being."
Plaintiff attorney Mark Lanier questioned Mosseri extensively about Instagram's cosmetic filters that alter users' appearances, an issue he is expected to raise again with Zuckerberg.
Zuckerberg is also likely to be questioned about Instagram's algorithm, infinite scrolling feeds and other product features that plaintiffs argue are designed to keep users engaged.
Algorithms, Infinite Scroll, Filters Under Scrutiny
Algorithms, infinite scroll and visual filters have become central to a growing wave of lawsuits accusing social media companies of harming children and misleading users about platform safety.
At the heart of the cases is how design choices shape behavior, particularly among young users, with concerns about the potential for them to cause mental health issues.
Algorithms are under fire for actively promoting content based on engagement rather than well-being. Prosecutors argue that recommendation systems can steer children toward increasingly sexualized, exploitative or emotionally damaging material, while making it easier for predators to identify and contact vulnerable users.
The claim is not simply that harmful content exists, but that social media platforms amplify it and put it within easy reach of children.
...
Infinite scroll is cited by critics as a mechanism that encourages compulsive use. By removing natural stopping points, opponents say, platforms keep users—especially teenagers—engaged for longer than intended, increasing exposure to harmful interactions and making it harder for parents to regulate use.
In court, it is often framed as a deliberate design to maximize attention.
Filters and appearance‑altering tools are under scrutiny for their impact on mental health. Attorneys argue that beauty filters and image manipulation contribute to anxiety, low self‑esteem and distorted body image, particularly among young girls, while companies have downplayed internal research showing those risks.
Together, these features form the backbone of arguments likening social media litigation to past cases against tobacco companies—focused not on individual misuse, but on products allegedly designed to cause harm at scale. Social media companies dispute these arguments, saying the evidence is often overstated.
Meta's New Mexico Trial
Meta also went on trial in New Mexico last week in another closely watched case that could reshape how U.S. states hold social media companies accountable for the alleged harms they cause to children.
The civil lawsuit, brought by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, accuses the Facebook and Instagram parent of failing to protect minors from sexual exploitation, grooming and human trafficking, while misleading parents about the safety of its platforms.
The trial, unfolding in Santa Fe, is the first state‑led case of its kind to reach a jury.
The state argues that Meta's algorithms and design choices helped create what Torrez has described as "breeding grounds" for predators, prioritizing user engagement and growth over child safety.
The state's case draws heavily on an undercover investigation in which officials posed as children and documented how quickly they were contacted by adults seeking sexual interactions. Internal company documents and testimony from former Meta employees are expected to feature prominently.
Meta strongly denies the allegations, saying the lawsuit relies on cherry-picked evidence and ignores the company's investments in content moderation, reporting tools and "teen account" protections. The company argues it cannot be held responsible for criminal misuse of its services and says it has been transparent about online risks.
The trial is expected to last several weeks, with potential national implications as other states pursue similar claims against major tech platforms.
...
Social Media Bans for Teens
Governments in the U.S. and abroad are moving more aggressively to curb the effects of social media on children, targeting both platform design and access.
In Australia, a world‑first law has set a minimum age of 16 for major social media platforms, shifting responsibility onto companies to prevent underage accounts or face heavy fines. The ban, which went into effect late last year, is being closely watched as a potential model for other countries.
In the U.S., lawmakers have yet to pass a nationwide age ban, but pressure is building. Congress is considering bipartisan legislation such as the Kids Online Safety Act, which would impose a legal duty of care on platforms to reduce risks, including addiction, self‑harm and sexual exploitation.
At the state level, laws in places such as California, Florida and Connecticut have targeted addictive design features, strengthened age verification and limited data collection from minors.
Elsewhere, the European Union has used the Digital Services Act to force platforms to redesign products with child safety in mind, including limits on algorithmic amplification and default privacy settings for minors.
Several European countries are also exploring Australia‑style age restrictions. Together, these measures signal a global shift toward treating social media harms as a public safety issue rather than a matter of personal choice.
This article uses reporting by the Associated Press.
In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not "both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations. Help keep the center courageous. Join today.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines