This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
Meta co-founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg is scheduled to testify as the parent company of Facebook and Instagram stands trial in a civil suit accusing the social media giant of putting profit over the mental health of young users.
Meta and Google-owned YouTube were accused Monday of pushing highly addictive apps on children as a landmark social media trial began in earnest in a California court.
The blockbuster trial in front of a Los Angeles jury could establish a legal precedent on whether the social media juggernauts deliberately designed their platforms to lead to addiction in children.
The proceedings are expected to see Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg on the stand next week and Instagram boss Adam Mosseri in the courtroom as early as Wednesday. In addition to Instagram, Meta's platforms include Facebook and WhatsApp.
"This case is about two of the richest corporations in history who have engineered addiction in children's brains," plaintiffs' attorney Mark Lanier told the jury in his opening statement.
"This case is as easy as A-B-C," Lanier said as he stacked children's toy blocks bearing the letters.
He contended the A was for addicting, the B for brains and the C for children.
Parents Mariano Janin and George Nicolaou hold photos of their children outside the Los Angeles County Superior Court in Los Angeles.
"They don't only build apps; they build traps," Lanier said, saying Meta and YouTube pursued "addiction by design," making his arguments using props like a toy Ferrari and a mini slot machine.
... continue reading