Zuckerberg, Spiegel, Mosseri Ordered to Testify in Landmark Social Media Trial Over Youth Addiction

In a landmark trial set for January, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, and Snap CEO Evan Spiegel have been ordered to testify regarding the impact of social media on young people, specifically addressing claims that their platforms are addictive and detrimental to minors' mental health. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Carolyn Kuhl emphasized the unique relevance of their testimony in establishing potential negligence or ratification of harmful conduct by these companies. The lawsuit consolidates numerous claims from parents and school districts accusing Meta and Snap of ineffective safety features, weak parental controls, and design choices that promote compulsive use among young users. Both Meta and Snap have contested the allegations, arguing federal law shields them from liability for user-generated content, but the judge ruled they must still face claims related to the apps' design. This trial is among the first to scrutinize social media companies' responsibilities for user safety, with similar lawsuits pending against TikTok and YouTube. Law firms representing the companies maintain that the judge's order does not imply the validity of the allegations, asserting their intent to refute the claims both factually and legally.