Billionaire Mark Zuckerberg took the stand in a significant trial over tech addiction in Los Angeles. He firmly denied ever telling his team to increase “time spent” on Meta’s platforms or to target children under 13.
During a tense cross-examination, plaintiff’s attorney Mark Lanier confronted Zuckerberg with internal emails. One email from 2015 expressed a goal to boost user “time spent” by 12% over three years. When asked about it, Zuckerberg acknowledged writing the email but claimed it wasn’t an official goal. He insisted he later shifted focus from “time spent” to delivering value to users.
Lanier pressed him, highlighting that as the CEO, such statements would be seen as company goals. Zuckerberg responded that he wasn’t sure how it was interpreted that way. He emphasized that Instagram has always prohibited users under 13, arguing that the platform has policies to remove underage users, despite acknowledging they aren’t flawless.
As the trial unfolds, major concerns about social media’s impact on young users are clear. The plaintiff, a 20-year-old woman known as K.G.M., claims that platforms like Instagram and YouTube contributed to her struggles with anxiety and self-harm. This case is part of a larger wave of lawsuits against social media companies, seeking accountability for their role in fostering addictive behaviors.
Zuckerberg’s approach to these issues was a mix of awkward humor and serious defense. He noted that he plans to donate most of his wealth to charity and argued that a responsible company must prioritize user well-being.
Instagram’s leadership has different views on addiction. Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, describes excessive use as “problematic” rather than a clinical addiction. However, psychiatrist Dr. Anna Lembke painted a dire picture, suggesting that features like autoplay and endless scrolling create addiction risks, especially in children whose brains are still developing.
Supporting these concerns, a recent Pew Research survey revealed that 48% of teens believe social media harms their peers, a sharp increase from 32% in 2022. Suicide rates among young people have also surged, with a 62% rise from 2007 to 2021, according to the CDC. Experts warn that social media exacerbates pressures that can lead to addiction and mental health issues.
The courtroom itself has seen emotional moments, with many parents of affected children present, hoping to hold social media companies accountable. They believe companies must share the responsibility for harms caused to young users and advocate for better protections.
The ongoing discussions around tech addiction are not just about policies but also about ethics and the consequences these platforms have on the younger generation.
For more on the health implications of social media use, check out resources from the CDC and Pew Research.
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