Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified this week in a Los Angeles courtroom that Instagram does not intentionally target users under 13, despite internal company documents presented as evidence suggesting otherwise. The trial, which began on February 16, 2026, represents a pivotal moment in the growing global scrutiny of social media's impact on youth mental health.
During cross-examination, plaintiff's attorney Mark Lanier confronted Zuckerberg with a 2018 Instagram presentation stating "If we want to win big with teens, we must bring them in as tweens." The Meta CEO maintained his position that the company has "age limits which are unenforced" but argued mobile device manufacturers should bear responsibility for age verification.
The case centers on a California woman who claims Instagram and YouTube algorithms exacerbated her childhood depression and suicidal thoughts. Meta and Google parent Alphabet both deny allegations that their platforms knowingly harm minors, pointing to recent safety features like screen time limits and content filters.
Legal analysts note this trial could set precedents for thousands of similar cases pending against major tech firms. Recent settlements by TikTok and Snapchat parent Snap Inc. have intensified pressure on Meta as the first company to face a jury trial over these allegations.
New revelations from internal Meta communications dominated courtroom discussions. A 2024 email chain showed executives acknowledging challenges in enforcing age restrictions, while 2014-2015 correspondence revealed Zuckerberg's direct involvement in strategies to increase user engagement metrics.
As governments worldwide consider stricter youth social media laws – including Australia's ban for users under 16 and Florida's pending legislation – this trial could reshape how platforms design services for young audiences. The jury is expected to deliberate next week following closing arguments from both sides.
