Social media giant Meta, which is being sued for its impact on young people’s mental health, is in the news with a critical development. The California Supreme Court has subpoenaed Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to testify as part of a class-action lawsuit alleging the company intentionally addicts young people.

Why was Mark Zuckerberg subpoenaed?

The lawsuit centers on the allegation that Meta and other social media platforms deliberately design addictive algorithms to increase engagement. The court rejected the companies’ request to bar senior executives from appearing in court. The judge emphasized that if the harm caused by the platforms is proven, these testimonies will be key to determining whether executives were aware of these harms.

The trial will investigate the extent to which company management knew about the platforms’ addictive potential. It will also clarify whether reports of depression, anxiety, and self-harm among young users reached senior management. One of the most critical questions in the case, however, is why the companies haven’t abandoned their engagement-boosting algorithms.

This decision isn’t limited to Mark Zuckerberg. The court also ordered Snap CEO Evan Spiegel and Instagram President Adam Mosseri to testify in January. This legal action could leave the tech industry facing a comprehensive reckoning, similar to the one faced by tobacco and opioid giants in the past. If the companies are found guilty, billions of dollars in penalties could be on the table.

So, what are your thoughts on Meta’s allegations of youth addiction? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!