Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared before a federal court in Los Angeles to address allegations of intentionally designing algorithms that addict children and teenagers. In a lawsuit brought by parents and a 20-year-old plaintiff, the billionaire defended the safety policies of Instagram and Facebook. However, he admitted that the company was too slow in implementing effective age verification systems, which allowed millions of minors to use the services in violation of official regulations.

Zuckerberg Before the Jury

The Meta CEO spent eight hours answering questions about algorithms that, according to the plaintiffs, intentionally cause addiction in underage users.

Shortcomings in Age Verification

It was revealed that in 2015, 4 million children under the age of 13 were on Instagram, representing 1/3 of the population in that age group in the U.S.

The Corporation's Defense Argument

The billionaire claims that Meta does not design services with addiction in mind, and revenue from the teenage group is only 1% of the company's total sales.

During an eight-hour testimony before a jury in Los Angeles, Mark Zuckerberg refuted allegations that his platforms were designed to induce addiction. Commentators describe this trial as the "Big Tobacco moment" for the tech industry, referencing historical lawsuits against tobacco companies. The plaintiff, known as KGM, accuses Meta of using mechanisms like infinite scrolling, which she claims led to serious mental health issues. Zuckerberg argued that these features are intended for utility, not user manipulation. In 1998, U.S. tobacco companies reached the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA), committing to pay billions in damages for concealing knowledge about the harms of smoking. Current lawsuits against Big Tech aim to demonstrate similar conscious negligence regarding children's mental health. A key moment of the hearing was the Meta CEO's confrontation with internal company documents. They reveal that in 2015, up to 4 million children under the age of 13 may have used Instagram, representing about one-third of that age group in the U.S. Zuckerberg admitted: „Age verification was a challenge, and in hindsight, it did not improve at the pace we would have liked.” — Mark Zuckerberg He simultaneously emphasized that Meta is now investing significant resources in safety and that revenue from ads targeted at teenagers constitutes only 1% of the company's total profits. The case is unprecedented, as it is the first time the head of such a powerful corporation has testified directly before a jury in a civil trial concerning the impact of algorithms on health. Parents of teenagers who had committed suicide were present in the courtroom, giving the proceedings an extremely emotional character. Although Zuckerberg expressed regret for the families' tragedies, he consistently refused to acknowledge his company's direct fault, pointing to a lack of clear scientific evidence linking social media to a large-scale decline in mental health. The verdict in this case could revolutionize how Big Tech designs its products in the future.

Mentioned People

  • Mark Zuckerberg — Founder and CEO of Meta Platforms, testifying in a trial concerning the harmfulness of social media.
  • Carolyn Kuhl — Judge presiding over the case in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.