Zuckerberg Defends Meta’s Past Approach to Screen Time in Social Media Addiction Trial

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, defending the company’s past strategies regarding user engagement, as a landmark trial concerning the potential addictive nature of social media and its impact on youth mental health continues in Los Angeles. Zuckerberg pushed back against claims he misled Congress about whether Meta designed its platforms to maximize the time children spend on them.

Key Testimony and Contradictory Evidence

During questioning by attorney Mark Lanier, representing a plaintiff who alleges Instagram harmed her mental health, Zuckerberg denied intentionally misleading Congress. Lanier presented emails from 2014 and 2015 where Zuckerberg outlined goals to increase time spent on the app by double-digit percentage points. Zuckerberg maintained that while such goals existed in the past, Meta’s approach has since evolved. “If you are trying to say my testimony was not accurate, I strongly disagree with that,” he stated according to reports.

The Core of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit centers on allegations that Meta and Google’s YouTube knowingly designed their platforms to be addictive, contributing to a youth mental health crisis. The plaintiff, identified as KGM, claims addiction to these platforms led to depression and suicidal thoughts. TikTok and Snap have already settled similar claims. The case is being closely watched as it could set a precedent for numerous other lawsuits filed by families, school districts, and states accusing social media companies of fueling mental health issues among young people.

Broader Legal and Regulatory Landscape

This trial occurs amidst a growing global backlash against social media platforms concerning children’s mental health. Australia has implemented restrictions prohibiting social media access for users under 16, and other countries, including Ireland, France, and Spain, are considering similar measures. In the United States, Florida has enacted a law prohibiting users under 14, though this law is currently facing legal challenges from tech industry trade groups as reported by the Associated Press.

Instagram CEO Testified Previously

Adam Mosseri, CEO of Instagram, testified the previous week, February 11, 2026, in the same case. He stated he was unaware of a recent Meta study showing no link between parental supervision and teens’ attentiveness to their own social media use. The study also indicated that teens with difficult life circumstances were more likely to use Instagram habitually or unintentionally according to AP News.

Meta’s Defense

Meta’s legal team argues that the plaintiff’s mental health issues stem from a troubled childhood and that social media served as a creative outlet. The company has also pointed to research, including findings from the National Academies of Sciences, suggesting that a direct causal link between social media use and mental health decline in children has not been definitively established.