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Zuckerberg Testifies in Landmark Trial Examining Social Media Harm to Children
Meta CEO faces questions over allegations that platforms like Instagram deliberately addict and harm young users
Published on Feb. 24, 2026
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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stand in a high-profile trial in Los Angeles examining whether the company's platforms, including Instagram, deliberately addict and harm children. The lawsuit was brought by a 20-year-old woman who claims early exposure to Instagram contributed to her depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Zuckerberg maintained that scientific evidence has not definitively proven a causal link between social media use and mental health harms, but was challenged by internal documents that appeared to contradict his previous statements to Congress.
Why it matters
The outcome of this trial could have significant implications for numerous other lawsuits alleging harm caused by social media platforms. It represents a major test for Meta as the company faces growing legal scrutiny over the potential negative impacts of its products, especially on young and vulnerable users.
The details
During questioning, Zuckerberg defended Meta's age verification policies and asserted the company prohibits users under 13 and works to detect and remove underage accounts. However, the plaintiff's attorney challenged the effectiveness of these measures. The testimony also focused on Meta's internal guidance for Zuckerberg's public persona, with the company urging him to appear 'authentic, direct, human, insightful and real' rather than 'robotic, corporate or cheesy'.
- Zuckerberg took the stand on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
- The lawsuit was filed by a 20-year-old woman identified as KGM.
The players
Mark Zuckerberg
CEO of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms.
KGM
A 20-year-old woman who filed the lawsuit against Meta, claiming early exposure to Instagram contributed to her depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
Mark Lanier
The plaintiff's attorney questioning Zuckerberg in the trial.
Josh Golin
Executive director of Fairplay, a children's advocacy group that criticized Zuckerberg's testimony as disingenuous.
Adam Mosseri
Head of Instagram, who previously testified that he does not believe people can become clinically addicted to social media.
What they’re saying
“All Mark Zuckerberg accomplished with his testimony today was to prove yet again that he cannot be trusted, especially when it comes to kids' safety.”
— Josh Golin, Executive director of Fairplay (newsdirectory3.com)
“If something is valuable, people will use it more because it's useful to them.”
— Mark Zuckerberg (newsdirectory3.com)
What’s next
The trial is considered a bellwether case, meaning its outcome could influence the resolution of hundreds of similar lawsuits against social media companies. The case is ongoing, with the jury still deliberating.
The takeaway
This trial represents a significant moment in the ongoing debate surrounding the impact of social media on youth mental health, with Meta facing growing legal scrutiny over the potential negative effects of its platforms, especially on vulnerable users.
