Social media on trial: tech giants face lawsuits over addiction, safety, and mental health

Zuckerberg takes the witness stand

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified for eight hours in a Los Angeles Superior Court this week to address allegations that social media platforms intentionally harm teen mental health. This testimony marks a critical moment in a series of bellwether trials targeting the biggest names in the technology industry. Zuckerberg faced aggressive questioning regarding his company’s role in fostering addiction, depression, and anxiety among young users.

The Meta executive entered the courthouse through a public entrance, walking past a crowd of parents holding photos of children who died by suicide. These parents attribute the deaths of their children to the specific design choices made by Instagram and Facebook. Zuckerberg maintained a matter-of-fact tone throughout the day as he denied that his platforms are liable for these outcomes.

Lead litigator Mark Lanier represented the plaintiff, a 20-year-old woman identified as K.G.M. She claims that design features on Meta and Google platforms encouraged her to use the apps compulsively, leading to severe mental health struggles. Lanier, who also serves as a pastor, used a charismatic questioning style to contrast Zuckerberg’s more guarded, technical responses.

Design choices bypass legal immunity

These cases represent a significant shift in how the legal system handles Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Traditionally, this law protects online platforms from liability for the content their users post. However, the plaintiffs in these trials successfully argued that the platforms themselves are defective products due to their underlying architecture.

The lawsuits do not focus on specific posts or videos. Instead, they target the algorithms and features that the companies developed to maximize user engagement. The plaintiffs claim that Meta, Snap, TikTok, and YouTube knew these features were harmful but chose to implement them anyway. This legal strategy allows the cases to move forward by treating social media apps like any other physical product that causes injury.

The court is currently examining several specific features that plaintiffs claim are inherently dangerous:

• Infinite scroll mechanisms that remove natural stopping points for users.
• Intermittent reinforcement through push notifications and "likes" that mimic gambling triggers.
• Algorithms that prioritize provocative or harmful content to keep teens on the app longer.
• Beauty filters that contribute to body dysmorphia and eating disorders.

Internal records show growth over safety

Newly released internal documents show that social media executives viewed the recruitment of teenagers as a major business opportunity. The Tech Oversight Project compiled these records into a report that highlights how companies discussed the risks of heavy digital engagement. The documents suggest that while employees raised concerns about teen safety, leadership often prioritized user growth and retention metrics.

Zuckerberg attempted to provide nuance regarding these internal discussions during his testimony. He pushed back against the idea that Meta ignored safety, claiming that employees frequently debated the best ways to protect users. He specifically challenged Lanier’s interpretation of internal emails, stating that the lawyer's characterizations did not reflect the reality of Meta’s decision-making process.

The judge in the case also had to manage the high-tech nature of the participants. At one point, the court admonished Zuckerberg’s entourage for wearing Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses inside the courtroom. The judge warned that anyone using the glasses to record the proceedings could be held in contempt of court and forced to delete the footage immediately.

The human cost of social media

Outside the courtroom, parents like Lori Schott shared the personal stories that drive these legal actions. Schott traveled from Eastern Colorado to witness the testimony following the death of her daughter, Annalee, in 2020. Annalee died by suicide at age 18 after struggling with body image issues her mother says were exacerbated by social media interactions.

Schott discovered journal entries after her daughter’s death that revealed a pattern of constant self-comparison. Annalee frequently disparaged her own appearance after viewing the profiles of other girls on Instagram. Schott told reporters that while she monitored what her child posted online, she did not realize the damaging nature of the content the platform was pushing to her daughter.

The trial faced a brief delay earlier in the week when a juror was hospitalized. The court postponed testimony from former Meta employees to determine if the juror could return or if an alternate would be required. Despite the delay, the court proceeded with Zuckerberg’s testimony as scheduled to keep the June trial date on track.

Thousands of cases wait in line

This trial is the first of many scheduled to take place over the next 12 months. These bellwether cases serve as a testing ground for thousands of similar lawsuits filed by school districts, state attorneys general, and individual families. The outcomes of these initial trials will likely determine the settlement amounts for the vast number of cases still waiting in the wings.

The legal pressure on tech companies continues to mount as more states join the litigation. The plaintiffs seek not only financial damages but also court-ordered changes to how these platforms function. They want the companies to disable features that target minors and to provide more robust parental controls that cannot be easily bypassed.

The current schedule for the upcoming trials includes:

• June 2024: The first major trial involving Meta, TikTok, and YouTube begins in California.
• Late 2024: Additional bellwether cases focusing specifically on Snapchat’s role in illicit drug sales to minors.
• 2025: Trials brought by state attorneys general regarding consumer protection violations.

Zuckerberg’s eight-hour stint on the stand is likely the first of many appearances for Big Tech executives. CEOs from TikTok and Snap are also expected to testify as their respective cases move toward trial. These proceedings represent the most significant legal threat to the social media business model since the inception of the platforms. The Verge will continue to monitor the court transcripts and document releases as the trials proceed.