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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg set to testify in LA social media safety trial
CNBC· 2026-02-18 14:03
Core Viewpoint - The trial involving Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is a significant moment for the social media industry, drawing comparisons to the "Big Tobacco" era, focusing on the alleged addiction to social media and its mental health impacts on young users [1]. Group 1: Trial Details - The trial began in late January and centers on a young woman claiming addiction to social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube [1]. - Lawyers for the plaintiff argue that Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Snap misled the public regarding the safety of their services and were aware that their app designs caused mental health issues for young users [2]. - Snap and TikTok settled with the plaintiff before the trial commenced [2]. Group 2: Company Responses - Meta has denied the allegations, with a spokesperson stating that the jury must determine if Instagram significantly contributed to the plaintiff's mental health issues [3]. - Instagram's chief, Adam Mosseri, testified that while problematic usage of social media exists, it should not be equated with clinical addiction [3]. - Mosseri acknowledged that excessive use of Instagram can be a personal issue, suggesting that the definition of "too much" is subjective [4].