Zuckerberg Faces Scrutiny in Social Media Addiction Trial

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in a Los Angeles courtroom on February 18, 2026, as part of a landmark trial examining whether Meta’s platforms, including Instagram, deliberately addict and harm children. The case centers on allegations that the platforms contribute to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia.

The Lawsuit and Key Allegations

The lawsuit was brought by a 20-year-ancient woman, identified as KGM, who claims she became addicted to Instagram and YouTube as a child, starting at age nine. She alleges the platforms were intentionally designed to be addictive, negatively impacting her mental well-being CNN. The outcome of this case could influence hundreds of similar lawsuits filed by families claiming harm from social media use.

Zuckerberg’s Testimony

Zuckerberg’s testimony, the first of its kind, focused on questions regarding Meta’s knowledge of potential risks to young people and the measures taken to mitigate those risks. He argued that Meta aims to create products with long-term appeal, rather than those designed for short-term engagement that could lead to negative feelings CNN.

Time Spent on Instagram

During questioning, Zuckerberg explained that Meta uses the amount of time users spend on Instagram as a metric to compare its performance against competitors like TikTok. He clarified this is not necessarily an attempt to simply increase usage, but rather to understand how Instagram stacks up within the industry CNN.

Under-13 Users and Age Verification

Zuckerberg addressed concerns about Instagram’s under-13 users, stating that the platform’s policy prohibits access for children in that age group. However, he acknowledged the difficulty of enforcing this rule, as many users misrepresent their age to gain access CBS News.

Instagram’s Beauty Filters

The CEO also defended Instagram’s beauty filters, explaining that Meta temporarily paused them due to concerns about promoting unrealistic beauty standards. The company decided to allow filters to support free expression, but stated it would not create or recommend them Quartz.

Adam Mosseri’s Testimony

Adam Mosseri, CEO of Instagram, also testified in the trial on February 11, 2026, as part of the case seeking to hold tech companies responsible for harms to children AP News.

Ongoing Trial and Potential Implications

The trial is unprecedented in its scope, questioning whether social media platforms deliberately design their products to be addictive and harmful to children. The outcome could have significant implications for Meta and other social media companies, potentially leading to changes in platform design and increased regulation.