Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is scheduled to testify on Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court as part of a landmark trial about social media and safety that's being likened to the industry's "Big Tobacco" moment.
The trial, which began in late January, centers on a young woman who alleged that she became addicted to social media and video streaming apps like Instagram and YouTube .
Lawyers representing the plaintiff contend that Meta, YouTube, TikTok and Snap misled the public about the safety of their services and knew that the design of their apps and certain features caused mental health harms to young users.
Snap and TikTok settled with the plaintiff involved in the case before the trial began.
Meta has denied the allegations and a spokesperson told CNBC in a statement that "The question for the jury in Los Angeles is whether Instagram was a substantial factor in the plaintiff's mental health struggles."
Last week, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri testified that while he thinks there can be problematic usage of social media, he doesn't believe that's the same as clinical addiction.
"So it's a personal thing, but yeah, I do think it's possible to use Instagram more than you feel good about," Mosseri said. "Too much is relative, it's personal."