Zuckerberg to Testify in Social Media Addiction Trial

Meta CEO faces landmark case as separate lawsuit against company moves forward in New Mexico

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to take the stand in Los Angeles on Wednesday in a landmark social media addiction trial, as a separate case against Meta is underway in New Mexico. The L.A. trial is the first of a consolidated action involving more than 1,600 plaintiffs, and jurors are being asked to determine if social media platforms like Facebook are responsible for causing mental health issues and addiction in users.

Why it matters

This trial represents a major legal challenge for Meta and could set a precedent for how social media companies are held accountable for the potential harms caused by their platforms. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for the tech industry and how it designs and operates social media products.

The details

The Los Angeles trial is the first in a consolidated action involving over 1,600 plaintiffs who allege that social media platforms like Facebook are responsible for causing mental health issues and addiction in users. Zuckerberg is expected to testify as the CEO of Meta, Facebook's parent company. A separate lawsuit against Meta is also underway in New Mexico, further intensifying the legal pressure on the tech giant.

  • Zuckerberg is expected to take the stand in Los Angeles on Wednesday, February 16, 2026.
  • The Los Angeles trial is the first in a consolidated action involving over 1,600 plaintiffs.

The players

Mark Zuckerberg

The CEO of Meta, the parent company of Facebook.

Meta

The parent company of Facebook, which is facing multiple lawsuits over the potential harms caused by its social media platforms.

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What’s next

The outcome of the Los Angeles trial could set a precedent for how social media companies are held accountable for the potential harms caused by their platforms, with far-reaching implications for the tech industry.

The takeaway

This landmark trial represents a significant legal challenge for Meta and the broader tech industry, as the courts grapple with the complex issue of social media's impact on mental health and addiction. The testimony of Zuckerberg and the verdict in this case could shape the future regulation and accountability of social media platforms.