Zuckerberg is testifying in a landmark trial that could reshape Big Tech liability
Walser Wealth Management President Rebecca Walser is responding to more than a dozen state lawsuits against Meta alleging that features of Facebook and Instagram are harmful to children ‘Making Money.’
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg will testify Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court in a landmark trial over allegations that social media is harming children — the first time he has addressed youth safety concerns in front of a jury.
The bellwether case, KGM v. Meta Platforms, Inc., et al., was filed by a 20-year-old California woman identified only by her first names. He alleges that Meta and other social media companies have created their platforms to recruit new users, fueling his depression and suicidal thoughts, and wants to hold the companies accountable.
Meta’s Instagram and Google’s YouTube deny the allegations, citing enhanced security features and parental controls as part of their defense. The tech titans are expected to point to other aspects of KGM’s life, highlight their investment in youth safety and argue that they should not be held responsible for harmful content uploaded by users.
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Mark Zuckerberg during a dinner with technology leaders in the State Dining Room of the White House on September 4, 2025. (Will Oliver/EPA/Bloomberg/Getty Images)
The decision by the plaintiff, KGM, could set a precedent for holding technology companies responsible for dangerous design decisions, despite years of successfully invoking the content liability protection of Section 230. Section 230 is a federal law that largely protects online platforms from lawsuits related to user-posted content.
A rejection of that defense could pave the way for similar lawsuits across the country, exposing Meta and other tech companies to billions in damages and forcing them to reinvent their platforms.
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In this photo, the TikTok app is seen on a phone on March 13, 2024, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
In addition to this lawsuit, Meta and Google face more than 2,300 related lawsuits filed by parents, school districts and state attorneys general in federal court.
The wave of lawsuits reflects growing controversy over social media companies over concerns about their impact on children’s mental health and safety. Lawmakers, parents and regulators have increasingly accused the platforms of prioritizing growth and engagement over protecting new users.
In New Mexico, opening statements began Monday in a separate lawsuit brought by a federal attorney accusing Meta of exposing children to sexual exploitation and profiting from it — allegations the company denies.
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Meta and Google face more than 2,300 related lawsuits filed by parents, school districts and state attorneys general in federal court. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Testing is not limited to the United States.
Countries such as Australia and Spain have moved to restrict access to social media for users under 16, citing concerns about addiction, online harm and mental health. Some governments are imposing similar age-based restrictions as the pressure increases around the world.
