Zuckerberg Defends Meta's Social Media Platforms in Addiction Trial

CEO testifies that Instagram is not inherently addictive, but provides a valuable service that people want to use.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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In testimony before a Los Angeles County court, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg defended the company's social media platforms, including Instagram, against claims that they are intentionally designed to be addictive. Zuckerberg argued that while people may use the platforms extensively, they are not inherently addictive and provide valuable services that people want to use.

Why it matters

This trial is one of several high-profile lawsuits that could have major implications for the social media industry, as companies face growing scrutiny over the effects of their platforms, especially on young users. The outcome could set precedents for how tech companies are held accountable for the potential harms caused by their products.

The details

Zuckerberg testified that as early as 2018, he reached out to Apple CEO Tim Cook to discuss 'the well-being of kids and teens' using their companies' technology. He also revealed that Instagram introduced teen accounts in 2024 with protections and restrictions to limit the content that appears. Zuckerberg pushed back on claims that social media networks are intentionally designed to be addictive, like 'digital casinos' that trap people into spending as much time as possible interacting and viewing content.

  • Zuckerberg testified in a Los Angeles County court this week.
  • The case was filed in 2023 by a Californian who alleges she became addicted to Instagram from an early age and suffered harmful effects.

The players

Mark Zuckerberg

The founder and CEO of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms.

Tim Cook

The CEO of Apple, who Zuckerberg reached out to in 2018 to discuss 'the well-being of kids and teens' using their companies' technology.

Natalie Bazarova

A professor of communication at Cornell University and head of its Social Media Lab, who commented on the core question of whether tech companies intentionally designed their products to harm young people.

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What they’re saying

“I think a reasonable company should try to help a person that uses its services.”

— Mark Zuckerberg, CEO, Meta (CNET)

“The core question is whether companies intentionally designed these products to harm young people by exploiting natural biases toward instant gratification and engineering design features that supply effortless, continuous reinforcement, thus hijacking self-control to encourage compulsive use.”

— Natalie Bazarova, Professor of Communication, Cornell University (CNET)

What’s next

The outcome of this trial could set precedents for how tech companies are held accountable for the potential harms caused by their products, especially when it comes to the effects on young users.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing scrutiny and legal challenges facing tech companies over the potential addictive and harmful effects of their social media platforms, particularly on children and teenagers. The industry is under pressure to address these concerns and implement stronger safeguards and protections.