LOS ANGELES — Meta Platforms, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg took the stand Wednesday in a closely watched social media addiction trial at the Los Angeles Superior Court, responding to allegations that the company engineered its platforms to maximize engagement among children despite awareness of potential mental health harms.
The case centers on a 19-year-old California plaintiff, identified in court filings as “K.G.M.,” who alleges she developed an addiction to Instagram as a child, resulting in depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphia.
Her lawsuit is among several bellwether cases expected to shape the trajectory of thousands of similar claims filed nationwide by families, school districts, and state officials.
Plaintiff’s Allegations
During testimony, plaintiff’s attorney Mark Lanier presented internal company documents, emails, and presentations—many recently unsealed—seeking to contrast them with Zuckerberg’s prior public and congressional statements.
Lanier argued that internal communications demonstrated a corporate focus on increasing “time spent” on Meta platforms, including among teens and younger users. He also referenced internal analyses discussing youth engagement metrics and retention rates.
The plaintiff’s legal team contends that Meta intentionally designed product features to encourage compulsive use among minors, prioritizing engagement metrics over safety considerations.
Zuckerberg’s Defense
Zuckerberg rejected claims that Meta’s strategy centered on maximizing user time at the expense of well-being. He testified that while engagement metrics were once tracked, the company shifted its focus toward creating long-term user value rather than explicitly driving time spent on the platforms.
“I don’t think it’s good for us in the long term if people are using something more than they want to,” Zuckerberg said during questioning, describing the company’s “north star” as building products users find meaningful.
He reiterated previous congressional testimony that Meta does not permit children under 13 to use Instagram and maintains systems designed to identify and remove underage accounts. He also stated that teen users account for less than 1 percent of company revenue.
Debate Over Scientific Evidence
A key issue in the trial involves the scientific consensus on social media’s impact on youth mental health. Zuckerberg testified that he does not believe current research establishes a causal link between social media use and increased mental health harms among young people.
The plaintiff’s team has presented expert testimony asserting that certain platform features exploit developmental vulnerabilities in adolescents, contributing to addictive behaviors.
Internal Documents Examined
Court proceedings included discussion of internal communications referencing teen engagement strategies and market analyses highlighting strong retention among younger users. Zuckerberg maintained that some documents were taken out of context or related to exploratory product initiatives that were never launched.
The CEO also addressed internal research examining the impact of beauty filters on teenage girls. He testified that Meta sought to balance user expression with safety considerations, noting that the company banned filters promoting cosmetic surgery and stopped recommending certain appearance-altering features.
Broader Implications
Legal observers have compared the wave of social media litigation to previous large-scale industry reckonings, including tobacco and opioid settlements. The outcome of this and similar trials could significantly influence regulatory standards, product design practices, and potential financial exposure across the technology sector.
Zuckerberg, who owns approximately 13 percent of Meta, defended his company’s mission and cited his public pledge to give away the majority of his wealth to philanthropic causes.
The trial is expected to continue in the coming weeks.
