Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Testifies in Youth Social Media Addiction Trial
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified on Wednesday, February 19, 2026, that Facebook and Instagram do not knowingly allow users under the age of 13 on its platforms, despite evidence suggesting this demographic is a key part of their user base. The testimony came during a landmark trial concerning youth social media addiction and its potential link to mental health issues.
The Case Against Meta
The lawsuit was brought by a California woman who alleges that her depression and suicidal thoughts were fueled by her use of Instagram and YouTube, starting in childhood. She claims the companies intentionally designed their platforms to be addictive to young users in order to maximize profits. Meta and Google, the parent company of YouTube, have denied these allegations, highlighting their efforts to implement safety features for users.
Settlements and Ongoing Litigation
Prior to the trial, Meta’s competitors, Snap and TikTok, settled with the plaintiff. The current trial focuses on Meta, and the company faces potential damages. This case is part of a growing wave of litigation against social media companies in the United States and internationally, reflecting increasing concern over the impact of these platforms on young people.
Zuckerberg’s Testimony and Internal Documents
During his testimony, Zuckerberg was confronted with internal Meta documents, including emails from 2014 and 2015. These emails revealed Zuckerberg’s stated goals to increase time spent on Instagram by double-digit percentage points. Zuckerberg acknowledged these past goals but stated that Meta’s approach has since evolved.
Meta’s Evolving Strategy
Zuckerberg explained that while Meta previously focused on increasing user engagement metrics like time spent on the app, the company has shifted its focus. The nature of this shift was not detailed in available reports.
Mark Zuckerberg’s Role at Meta
Mark Elliot Zuckerberg, born May 14, 1984, is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Meta Platforms, originally founded as Facebook in 2004 Meta. He briefly attended Harvard University before launching Facebook with Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes Wikipedia.
Recent Activity
On February 19, 2026, Zuckerberg shared on Facebook a positive reaction to a new Spotify feature integrated into his Oakley Meta glasses Facebook.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.