Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Faces Scrutiny in Social Media Addiction Trial

Los Angeles — Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, before a jury for the first time regarding accusations that social media platforms, including Instagram, contribute to mental health issues in children. The landmark trial centers on claims that Instagram and YouTube were intentionally designed to be addictive, negatively impacting young users.

The Case Against Meta

Kaley, a 20-year-old plaintiff, alleges that her apply of Instagram and YouTube began in elementary school and led to anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia. The outcome of her lawsuit could influence over 1,600 similar cases brought by families who claim their children have been harmed by social media. Meta denies these accusations, asserting it has implemented measures to protect young users.

Key Arguments and Testimony

The core of the questioning focused on Meta’s awareness of potential risks to young people and the adequacy of its mitigation efforts. Zuckerberg maintained that Meta aims to create products with long-term appeal, rather than those designed for short-term engagement at the expense of user well-being. However, evidence presented challenged this assertion.

Time Spent on Platform as a Metric

Lawyers presented an internal Instagram document from Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, stating that the Reels feature had “driven time to all-time highs,” with a “stretch goal” to surpass TikTok in user engagement. Zuckerberg explained that time spent on the app is used as a metric to measure Instagram’s performance against competitors, but not as a primary objective in itself.

A 2022 document outlining Instagram “milestones” projected an increase in average time spent on the platform from 40 minutes in 2023 to 46 minutes in 2026. Zuckerberg disputed that these were firm goals, stating that such growth would be expected if the platform was performing well.

Instagram’s Beauty Filters

The trial likewise addressed Instagram’s beauty filters, which allow users to alter their appearance. While Meta temporarily paused these filters due to concerns about their potential impact on self-perception, Zuckerberg stated the company ultimately decided to allow them, but not recommend them, in the interest of free expression. He described denying users these tools as “paternalistic.”

An internal email from a Meta employee, a mother of two teenage girls, warned Zuckerberg about the potential harm caused by the filters, stating, “I respect your call and I support it, but I don’t think it’s the right call.”

Underage Users and Age Verification

Instagram’s policy requires users to be at least 13 years old to create an account. Zuckerberg acknowledged that enforcing this rule is challenging, as a “meaningful number of people” misrepresent their age. An internal 2015 document estimated that over 4 million Instagram users were under 13, representing 30% of all 10-12 year olds in the US. Kaley reportedly began using Instagram at age 9.

Instagram did not initiate requesting date of birth from new users until December 2019, and only started prompting existing users for this information in August 2021. This meant Kaley was not asked for her age when she initially joined the platform.

An internal document revealed a strategy to “bring them in as tweens” if Meta wanted to succeed with teenagers. Zuckerberg defended the company’s approach to age verification, citing initial privacy concerns and the difficulty of obtaining reliable age verification from young users. Meta now uses AI to estimate users’ ages and enforce safety measures.

Revenue and Targeting

Zuckerberg estimated that teenagers represent less than 1% of Instagram’s revenue, as they generally have limited disposable income. However, he acknowledged the long-term value of acquiring young users.

Broader Implications and Reactions

The trial has drawn attention from parents and advocates concerned about the impact of social media on children’s mental health. Several parents who have filed similar lawsuits were present during Zuckerberg’s testimony, including Tammy Rodriguez, whose 11-year-old daughter died by suicide after allegedly struggling with Instagram and Snapchat addiction.

Rodriguez, who also attended Zuckerberg’s 2024 congressional testimony, expressed a lack of satisfaction with the proceedings but remained hopeful for future change. The outcome of Kaley’s case could significantly impact the numerous other lawsuits pending against Meta and other social media companies.