Live Updates of Mark Zuckerberg’s Testimony: Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms and founder of Facebook, is testifying in a US court over allegations that Instagram harms the mental health of young users.
The case centers on a California woman who says she started using Google-owned Instagram and YouTube as a child. They claim that the companies deliberately designed their platforms to maximize the engagement of minors, despite being aware of the potential mental health risks. According to her complaint, long-term use contributed to her depression and suicidal thoughts.
Meta and Google deny the allegations and say they have security features and tools in place to protect young users. The lawsuit is seen as a test case among thousands filed across the United States accusing big tech firms of contributing to the youth mental health crisis.
Why testimonials matter
Zuckerberg’s testimony is significant because it is the first time he has been questioned in a US court specifically about Instagram’s impact on children’s mental health. Although he has appeared before Congress before, this lawsuit has direct legal and financial implications.