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.
