Zuckerberg Testifies in Social Media Harm Trial: Meta CEO Faces Scrutiny

Zuckerberg Defends Meta Against Claims of Addictive Platforms in Landmark Trial

LOS ANGELES – Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg faced intense questioning Wednesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, defending his company against allegations that Instagram and other platforms are designed to deliberately addict children and harm their mental health. The trial, described as unprecedented, centers on claims that Meta knew its products were harmful to young users but failed to take adequate steps to mitigate the risks.

Zuckerberg, appearing in a dark suit and tie, occasionally glanced nervously at the jury and the 20-year-old plaintiff, identified as Kaley G.M., who was present in the courtroom. He described himself as “bad at this,” referring to public testimony and attempts to appear polished, when pressed by the plaintiff’s attorney, Mark Lanier.

The case hinges on whether Meta’s platforms are intentionally addictive. Lanier questioned Zuckerberg directly on this point, asking if people tend to use something more if it’s addictive. Zuckerberg responded, “I’m not sure what to say to that. I don’t think that applies here.”

Kaley G.M.’s lawsuit alleges that her early use of Instagram, beginning at age nine, contributed to depression and suicidal thoughts. Zuckerberg testified that children under 13 are not permitted on the platform, but acknowledged that users often lie about their age. He stated that Meta removes accounts it identifies as belonging to underage users, but conceded that enforcement is difficult.

Lanier presented internal Meta documents from 2018 suggesting the company was aware that approximately 4 million users were under the age of 13 – roughly 30% of all 10- to 12-year-olds in the U.S. At the time. Zuckerberg maintained a distinction between allowing underage users and actively catching them violating the rules, stating, “I don’t see why this is so complicated.”

He suggested that device manufacturers like Apple and Google could assist in age verification by sharing parental settings with social media companies. Zuckerberg also stated that Meta does not set goals for the amount of time users spend on Instagram.

However, internal Meta documents introduced during the trial appeared to contradict this claim. Documents dating back to 2013 detailed efforts to target teens and increase “time spent” on the app, even among users under 13. An internal message exchange from 2017 revealed Instagram employees expressing discomfort with Zuckerberg’s push to target younger users, with one staffer describing it as “gross.” A 2022 document outlined benchmarks for daily active users, aiming for 40 minutes of time spent on Instagram in 2023, increasing to 46 minutes by 2026.

Zuckerberg attempted to frame these metrics as industry benchmarks rather than explicit goals, stating, “They’re ways we measure across the industry whether what we’re creating is on track.”

Lanier concluded his questioning by displaying a large poster featuring images Kaley G.M. Posted to Instagram from age nine to the present, pressing Zuckerberg on whether he had considered the potential harm his product caused her. Zuckerberg said his team and experts had conducted research on the matter.

Meta’s legal team has sought to discredit the notion of social media addiction and question whether Kaley G.M. Actually suffers from it. They argue that Zuckerberg’s personal likability is irrelevant to the case, stating that the central question is whether Instagram was a substantial factor in the plaintiff’s mental health struggles. Meta spokeswoman Stephanie Otway said, “The evidence will show she faced many significant, difficult challenges well before she ever used social media.”

The trial has drawn significant public attention, with crowds gathering outside the courthouse in anticipation of Zuckerberg’s testimony. Experts suggest that the proceedings could have broader implications for Meta’s image and political influence, particularly as the company increases its spending on lobbying and political campaigns in California. According to a Pew Research Center study, a majority of American adults hold an unfavorable view of Zuckerberg.

Zuckerberg also revealed that he has pledged to donate “almost all” of his wealth to charity, focusing on scientific research. When asked how much of that pledge would be directed to victims impacted by social media, he responded, “I disagree with the characterization of your question.”

Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl issued a warning during the proceedings, instructing anyone in the courtroom using Meta’s artificial intelligence glasses to remove them and delete any recordings, citing concerns about facial recognition of the jury.