Mark Zuckerberg Testifies in Court Over Allegations Against Meta

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, appeared in court in Los Angeles to testify in a lawsuit accusing social media platforms Instagram and Facebook of contributing to addiction and mental health problems among children.

The case centers on allegations that the platforms encourage excessive use among young users, leading to depression, anxiety, and in some cases, suicidal thoughts.

Allegations of Targeting Younger Users

During his testimony, Zuckerberg emphasized that Meta does not allow children under the age of 13 to use its platforms. However, court documents from 2018 revealed that the company had discussed plans to expand its user base among children aged nine to 12 in order to grow its younger audience on Instagram and Facebook.

One key piece of evidence presented in court was an email from Nick Clegg, Meta’s former President of Global Affairs, who recently stepped down. The email reportedly indicated that age restrictions were not strictly enforced or properly monitored.

Personal Testimony from a Plaintiff

A 20-year-old plaintiff, identified as Kaley G.M., testified that she began using Meta’s platforms at a young age and later developed serious mental health challenges, including depression and suicidal thoughts. She claims the platforms played a significant role in worsening her condition.

Dispute Over User Engagement Goals

Although Zuckerberg denied that Meta deliberately prioritized strategies to maximize user screen time, jurors were presented with internal documents from 2022. These documents suggested that the company aimed to increase the average daily time spent on one of its platforms from 40 minutes in 2023 to 46 minutes by 2026.

Zuckerberg argued that these figures were performance metrics used to measure growth rather than strict company targets. He also stated that users under 18 account for only about 1% of Meta’s total user base.

Broader Legal Challenges

The trial, which could continue until March, is one of thousands of lawsuits filed in California by parents, schools, and other institutions against major technology companies. These cases accuse social media platforms of failing to protect young users from harmful content and addictive design features.

The outcome of the case could have significant implications for how social media companies operate and regulate youth access in the future.