A series of pivotal cases claiming that social media platforms have jeopardized the safety and mental health of teenagers is set for trial this year. This development requires executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, to testify about their actions or inaction in protecting children.
Unlike many previous legal actions against social media companies, these cases have successfully bypassed the companies’ efforts to dismiss them by invoking Section 230, a law that shields online platforms from liability for users’ speech. The cases accuse companies like Meta, Snap, TikTok, and Google’s YouTube of intentionally designing their platforms to foster addiction, depression, and anxiety.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg entered a Los Angeles courthouse flanked by an entourage, possibly wearing Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses. Zuckerberg was questioned by Mark Lanier, the lead litigator for plaintiff K.G.M., a 20-year-old who alleges that design features of Meta and Google apps led to her mental health issues. Throughout his testimony, Zuckerberg frequently denied that his platform was responsible for the claimed harms.
Lori Schott traveled from Eastern Colorado to Los Angeles to attend the trial involving Zuckerberg’s testimony. Schott’s 18-year-old daughter, Annalee, committed suicide in 2020, allegedly due to body image issues worsened by social media.
The trial has faced delays; it was postponed due to a juror’s hospitalization but is expected to resume with either the original or an alternate juror. Zuckerberg is still expected to testify soon.
Documents recently released in association with major trials against Meta, Snap, TikTok, and YouTube reveal the companies’ interest in attracting teenage users while also acknowledging the risks of excessive digital interaction. A federal judge will soon determine the trials’ scope, with the first starting in June.
Over the year, social media company executives are expected to defend against claims regarding their failure to safeguard children. The first of these trials will occur in California, focusing on the claim that tech addiction affected a teenager’s mental health. This trial will set a precedent for numerous similar cases awaiting judgment.