Mark Zuckerberg is set to take the witness stand in a closely watched trial examining whether Meta’s social media platforms were intentionally designed in ways that addict young users and contribute to mental health harm.

The Meta CEO is scheduled to testify Wednesday under questioning from lawyers representing a now 20-year-old woman identified as KGM. She alleges that her use of social media beginning at a young age led to addiction and worsened her depression and suicidal ideation.

Meta Platforms and Google’s YouTube remain the only defendants in the case after TikTok and Snap reached settlements. The lawsuit is one of several targeting major technology companies over the impact of their platforms on minors.

Zuckerberg has previously appeared in court and testified before Congress about youth safety issues tied to Meta’s services. During a prior congressional hearing, he apologized to families who said social media tragedies had devastated their lives.

This proceeding, however, will be the first time Zuckerberg addresses such claims before a jury. Families who have lost children and believe social media played a role are expected to attend, filling the limited public seating available in the courtroom.

The lawsuit has been designated, along with two related cases, as a bellwether trial. Its outcome could influence how thousands of similar claims against social media companies are resolved nationwide.

In a statement, a Meta spokesperson said the company firmly rejects the accusations and expressed confidence that the trial will demonstrate “our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.”

During opening arguments, Meta attorney Paul Schmidt told jurors the company does not deny that KGM has struggled with mental health challenges. Instead, he argued that Instagram was not a significant cause of those issues.

Schmidt cited medical documentation referencing instability at home, and both he and YouTube’s legal counsel contend that the plaintiff used the platforms as a way to cope with or escape existing mental health difficulties.

Zuckerberg’s appearance follows testimony last week from Adam Mosseri, who heads Instagram. On the stand, Mosseri said he rejects the notion that users can become clinically addicted to social media.

Mosseri also testified that Instagram prioritizes the safety of younger users and stated that it is “not good for the company, over the long run, to make decisions that profit for us but are poor for people’s well-being.”

Attorney Mark Lanier, representing the plaintiff, devoted much of his questioning of Mosseri to Instagram’s appearance-altering filters, pressing on how those tools may affect young users’ self-image. Lanier is expected to pursue similar lines of questioning with Zuckerberg.

Zuckerberg is also anticipated to be asked about Instagram’s algorithm, the continuous scroll format of Meta’s feeds, and other platform features that plaintiffs argue are structured to keep users engaged for extended periods.

In addition to this case, Meta is defending itself in a separate trial underway in New Mexico that began last week.

{Matzav.com}