Serious allegations have been raised against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. The accusations claim that these platforms were intentionally designed to keep users hooked, especially young people. At the center of the case is Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg.
Mark Zuckerberg Testifies in a Historic Lawsuit
Mark Zuckerberg appeared in court in Los Angeles during a landmark legal proceeding. For the first time, the Facebook founder addressed concerns about the impact of Instagram on the mental health of underage users. The case is being closely watched as it could redefine how social media companies are held accountable.
Claims of Intentional Addiction by Social Media Platforms
According to the lawsuit, social media platforms were deliberately engineered to maximize the amount of time users spend on them, increasing the risk of addiction. This case is one of more than a thousand similar lawsuits currently pending, all questioning the ethical design of major digital platforms.
The Plaintiff’s Story and Alleged Harm
The lawsuit was filed by a 20-year-old woman, identified in court only as “K.G.M.” or “Kelly.” Her mother also attended the hearing. They claim that excessive use of platforms like Instagram and YouTube from the age of six exposed her to harmful content, negatively affecting her well-being.
Internal Emails and Meta’s Defense
During the hearing, old internal emails from Meta were presented as evidence. These documents reportedly discussed goals such as increasing user time spent on the platform by 12 percent. Zuckerberg defended the company, stating that while time-spent metrics were once a focus, Meta no longer operates with that mindset.
He also argued that users naturally spend more time on platforms they find meaningful, suggesting that engagement does not automatically imply harmful addiction.
Parents Demand Accountability and Change
The court also heard from Lori Schott, whose 18-year-old daughter, Anali, died by suicide. Schott believes her daughter was addicted to Instagram and struggled with self-image issues linked to beauty filters and appearance-based content.
“I lost my daughter,” she told the court. “Every parent here has lost a child. We can’t bring them back, but we are fighting for justice, accountability, and real change.”
A Defining Moment for Social Media Regulation
This lawsuit is seen as a critical test case. Its outcome could influence future legal action and push for stricter regulations on how social media platforms are designed and operated. Many believe it could mark a turning point in holding tech companies responsible for the societal impact of their products.