Meta CEO and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, a billionaire, is scheduled to face questioning in a U.S. court for the first time on Wednesday regarding the impact of Instagram on the mental well-being of young users. This inquiry is part of a significant trial concerning youth social media addiction. While Zuckerberg has previously given testimony on this matter before Congress, the stakes are higher in the Los Angeles jury trial. Meta could potentially face financial penalties if it loses the case, and the outcome could weaken Big Tech’s traditional legal defense against allegations of harm to users. This lawsuit is part of a broader global backlash against social media platforms regarding the mental health of children.
Various measures have been taken globally in response to concerns over mental health issues related to social media. For instance, Australia has banned users under 16 from accessing social media platforms, and similar restrictions are being considered in countries like Spain. In the U.S., Florida has implemented a ban on companies allowing users under 14, with tech industry trade groups challenging the law in court.
The case at hand involves a woman from California who began using Instagram by Meta and YouTube by Google during her childhood. She claims that these companies aimed to profit by getting children hooked on their services despite being aware of the potential harm social media could cause to mental health. Allegations include the assertion that these apps exacerbated her depression and suicidal thoughts, leading her to seek accountability from the companies. Both Meta and Google have refuted these claims, highlighting their efforts to introduce safety features. Meta has frequently referenced a study by the National Academies of Sciences indicating that there is no conclusive evidence that social media impacts children’s mental health.
This lawsuit is a pivotal case among a larger group of legal actions against Meta, Google, Snap, and TikTok. Numerous lawsuits have been filed in the U.S. by families, school districts, and states, accusing these companies of contributing to a youth mental health crisis.
Zuckerberg is anticipated to face questioning regarding Meta’s internal research and discussions on how Instagram usage affects younger users. Investigative reporting has revealed internal Meta documents showing the company’s awareness of potential harms associated with their platforms. One study found that teenagers who reported feeling negatively about their bodies due to Instagram were exposed to more content related to eating disorders. During the trial, Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, admitted to being unaware of a recent Meta study suggesting no correlation between parental supervision and teenagers’ self-awareness of their social media usage. Meta’s defense attorney argued that the woman’s health records indicate her issues stem from a troubled childhood and that social media served as a creative outlet for her.