Mark Zuckerberg testifies at landmark social media addiction trial
5 hours ago
- #legal accountability
- #child safety
- #social media
- Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is testifying in a trial that could determine if social media platforms are liable for harming children.
- The trial involves over 1,600 plaintiffs, including families and school districts, accusing platforms like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Snap of designing addictive products harmful to young users.
- Section 230 has historically shielded social media platforms from liability for user-posted content.
- TikTok and Snap settled with the first plaintiff, K.G.M., a minor who claims social media addiction worsened her mental health.
- Plaintiffs allege social media companies deliberately made platforms addictive for profit.
- Instagram head Adam Mosseri defended the platform, denying intentional engineering for addiction.
- Attorney Matt Bergman called Zuckerberg's testimony a significant moment for families seeking accountability.
- Parents outside the courtroom displayed photos of their children, emphasizing the personal impact of the case.
- Zuckerberg previously apologized to parents during a Senate hearing on online child safety.