Mom Blasts Zuckerberg as 'Soulless Psychopath' Over Son's Suicide After Facebook 'Sextortion'

Grieving mother confronts Meta CEO at landmark social media addiction trial in Los Angeles

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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A grieving New York mother whose 15-year-old son died by suicide after being targeted in a Facebook 'sextortion' scam blasted Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg as a 'soulless psychopath' as he arrived to testify in a landmark social media addiction trial in Los Angeles. Mary Rodee watched as Zuckerberg entered the courthouse, where he is taking the stand in the first of roughly 1,500 lawsuits accusing social media giants of designing addictive platforms that harm children.

Why it matters

This case highlights growing concerns about the mental health impacts of social media platforms, especially on vulnerable youth, and the legal liability tech companies may face for alleged design choices that contribute to addiction and self-harm. Rodee's confrontation of Zuckerberg underscores the human toll and parental anguish behind these lawsuits.

The details

Rodee's son fatally shot himself after being threatened by someone who demanded money and warned that explicit images would be shared. Nearly a dozen other parents gathered outside the courthouse holding photos of children they say were harmed or died after using social media. The lawsuit, the first of roughly 1,500 cases to reach trial, was brought by a 20-year-old California woman who alleges YouTube and Instagram's addictive features contributed to her anxiety, body dysmorphia, bullying, and suicidal thoughts.

  • On March 2021, Rodee's 15-year-old son died by suicide after being targeted in a Facebook 'sextortion' scam.
  • On February 18, 2026, Zuckerberg arrived at the Los Angeles Superior Courthouse to testify in the landmark social media addiction trial.

The players

Mary Rodee

A grieving New York mother whose 15-year-old son died by suicide after being targeted in a Facebook 'sextortion' scam.

Mark Zuckerberg

The CEO of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, who is testifying in the landmark social media addiction trial.

Kaley

A 20-year-old California woman who is the plaintiff in the first of roughly 1,500 consolidated lawsuits against social media companies, alleging their addictive features contributed to her mental health issues.

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What they’re saying

“I see these kids on a spiraling path where their parents are watching social media take their child away. Mine was just like in an instant.”

— Mary Rodee, Grieving mother (The Post)

“I see these kids on a spiraling path where their parents are watching social media take their child away. Mine was just like in an instant.”

— Mary Rodee, Grieving mother (The Post)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed as a class action, which could significantly expand the potential liability for Meta and other tech companies.

The takeaway

This case highlights the devastating human toll of social media's alleged design choices, as well as the growing legal reckoning tech giants face over the mental health impacts of their platforms, especially on vulnerable youth. It underscores the urgent need for greater regulation and accountability around social media's effects on young people.