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Inside the Courtroom

Jurors are expected to review extensive evidence, including excerpts from internal company documents that rarely see daylight.

“A lot of what these companies have been trying to shield from the public is likely going to be aired in court,” said Mary Graw Leary, a law professor at Catholic University of America.

Meta said it has rolled out dozens of tools designed to make its platforms safer for teens and disputes the allegations. “We strongly disagree with these claims and are confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people,” the company said. Researchers, however, have questioned how effective those tools truly are.

Executives Under Pressure

The companies are expected to argue that any alleged harm stems from third-party users rather than platform design. One of the most anticipated witnesses is Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who is scheduled to testify early in the trial.

In 2024, Zuckerberg told U.S. senators that existing scientific research had not demonstrated a causal link between social media use and worsening mental health among young people. During that same hearing, he apologized to victims and families who had gathered in the chamber.

Tech leaders often struggle under cross-examination, said Mary Anne Franks, a law professor at George Washington University. She noted companies are “very much hoping” to avoid putting top executives on the stand.

Global Scrutiny Intensifies

The trial unfolds as social media companies face mounting pressure from families, school districts and regulators worldwide. Last year, dozens of U.S. states sued Meta, accusing it of misleading the public about the risks of social media and contributing to a youth mental health crisis.

Australia has already enacted a ban on social media use for children under 16, and the United Kingdom signaled in January it may follow suit.

“There is a tipping point when it comes to the harms of social media,” Franks said. “The tech industry has been given deferential treatment — and we’re starting to see that change.”