ZUCKERBERG CONFRONTS FAMILIES IN COURT OVER META SOCIAL MEDIA HARM CLAIMS. (PHOTO).

 Zuckerberg confronts families in court over Meta social media harm claims

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg faced tough questioning Wednesday in a courtroom for the first time alongside families who claim his company’s social media platforms harmed their children. The hearing is part of a landmark case that could shape the outcomes of more than 1,500 similar lawsuits consolidated from parents and school districts alleging social media addiction and related harms.

Zuckerberg was challenged over past statements regarding child safety and internal knowledge of potential harms. Lawyers for the plaintiffs highlighted a 2017 internal Meta memo advising him to show more sympathy when discussing child safety, a 2015 email where he set goals to increase users’ time on the platform, and estimates that four million children under 13 were using Instagram. The case centers on a 20-year-old plaintiff from California, identified in court documents as K.G.M., who alleges that early use of YouTube and Instagram led to depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphia. Plaintiffs argue that social media platforms should face product liability standards, while Meta contends that Section 230 shields the company from being held responsible for content exposure and disputes that Instagram was a substantial factor in the plaintiff’s mental health struggles. Zuckerberg’s testimony highlights the high stakes for social media companies if design features like infinite scroll, Reels, and the “like” button are found to be addictive and harmful, potentially leading to major fines and platform changes.