In a legal proceeding that observers are comparing to the historic Big Tobacco trials of the 1990s, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is testifying today, Wednesday, February 18, 2026, in a landmark social media addiction trial.

The trial, held in Los Angeles Superior Court, is a “bellwether” case that could set the legal precedent for over 1,500 similar lawsuits filed by families and school districts across the United States.

KGM v. Meta & Google

The lawsuit centers on a 20-year-old California woman identified as Kaley G.M., who claims that she became “clinically addicted” to social media as a child.

• Timeline of Harm: Kaley began using YouTube at age 6 and Instagram at age 9. She alleges the platforms were “defective products” designed to exploit the vulnerabilities of her developing brain.
• Alleged Impacts: The plaintiff attributes her struggles with severe depression, body dysmorphia, and suicidal ideation to compulsive use of these apps, reporting that she was once on Instagram for over 16 hours in a single day.
• The “Casino” Comparison: Plaintiffs’ attorney Mark Lanier argued that Meta and Google (the remaining defendants after TikTok and Snap reached settlements) engineered “digital casinos” using features like infinite scroll, autoplay, and beauty filters to maximize engagement at the cost of child safety.

What’s at Stake?

• Section 230 Immunity: While tech companies are usually protected from liability for content posted by users, this trial focuses on product design. If the jury finds that features like the “Like” button or “Infinite Scroll” are inherently dangerous, it could strip away the legal shield Silicon Valley has relied on for decades.
• Financial Impact: A loss for Meta and Google could lead to a multi-billion dollar “global settlement” similar to the $200+ billion 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with tobacco companies.
• Policy Shifts: The trial is occurring as several countries and U.S. states consider total social media bans for minors under 16.

Note: Outside the courthouse, bereaved parents have staged a “Lost Screen Memorial” featuring the photos of 50 children who lost their lives to online harms, highlighting the emotional intensity surrounding Zuckerberg’s appearance.