Zuckerberg Faces Courtroom Scrutiny Over Instagram's Impact on Youth Mental Health

Meta Platforms CEO and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg will take the stand for the first time in a U.S. court this Wednesday to address Instagram's influence on young users' mental health. This high-stakes jury trial in Los Angeles carries significant implications for Big Tech.

Should Meta lose, it not only faces potential damages but also a weakened legal defense against claims of user harm. The lawsuit is part of an international backlash against social media platforms over concerns about children's mental health. Countries like Australia and Spain are instituting or considering similar restrictions, while in the U.S., Florida has enacted prohibitions for users under 14.

Central to the trial is a case involving a California woman who used Instagram and YouTube as a child. She contends that these platforms profited from user engagement despite knowing about potential mental health risks. Meta and Google deny these allegations and emphasize their efforts to ensure user safety.