"Mark Zuckerberg will testify in an unprecedented social media trial that questions whether Meta's platforms deliberately addict and harm children. Meta's CEO is expected to answer tough questions on Wednesday from attorneys representing a now 20-year-old woman identified by the initials KGM, who claims her early use of social media addicted her to the technology and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts. Meta Platforms and Google's YouTube are the two remaining defendants in the case, which TikTok and Snap have settled."
"Zuckerberg has testified in other trials and answered questions from Congress about youth safety on Meta's platforms, and he apologized to families at that hearing whose lives had been upended by tragedies they believed were because of social media. This trial, though, marks the first time Zuckerberg will answer similar questions in front of a jury. and, again, bereaved parents are expected to be in the limited courtroom seats available to the public."
"One of Meta's attorneys, Paul Schmidt, said in his opening statement that the company is not disputing that KGM experienced mental health struggles, but rather that Instagram played a substantial factor in those struggles. He pointed to medical records that showed a turbulent home life, and both he and an attorney representing YouTube argue she turned to their platforms as a coping mechanism or a means of escaping her mental health struggles."
A 20-year-old plaintiff identified as KGM alleges early social media use addicted her and worsened depression and suicidal thoughts. Meta Platforms and Google's YouTube remain defendants; TikTok and Snap settled. Mark Zuckerberg will testify before a jury for the first time on these issues, with bereaved parents expected in limited public seating. The case was selected as a bellwether trial that could influence thousands of similar suits. Meta disputes the allegations and says evidence will show commitment to young people. Meta attorney Paul Schmidt said Instagram was not a substantial factor and cited a turbulent home life and platform use as coping.
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
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