Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg has defended the company’s child safety policies in court during a major legal trial in the United States, as accusations grow that social media platforms knowingly harmed young users.
The Meta chief executive appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom this week as part of a high-profile case examining whether companies behind major platforms like Facebook and Instagram designed their services in ways that encouraged addiction in children and teenagers.
The case is being closely watched worldwide and could influence how governments, including the UK, regulate social media platforms and protect children online.
Why is Mark Zuckerberg in court, and what is the trial about?
The trial centres on a claim made by a woman from California who says she started using Instagram and YouTube as a child and suffered serious mental health harm as a result.
She alleges the platforms contributed to depression and suicidal thoughts, arguing that social media firms profited by keeping young users hooked through addictive design features.
The case is seen as a test for many similar lawsuits being filed against major tech firms in the US, as parents and families argue that social media has fuelled a youth mental health crisis.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, testified for more than five hours before the Los Angeles Superior Court in a landmark case examining the alleged harmful effects of social media platforms on children. pic.twitter.com/Cpz0wIhAXX
— Synopress World (@synopressworld) February 19, 2026
Did Mark Zuckerberg admit that children use Instagram despite the age limit?
During his testimony, Zuckerberg repeatedly stated that Meta does not allow children under the age of 13 to join Facebook or Instagram.
However, lawyers for the claimant challenged this position by presenting internal company documents suggesting younger users were viewed as an important part of Meta’s future growth strategy.
One internal Instagram presentation from 2018 reportedly stated: “If we want to win big with teens, we must bring them in as tweens.”
The claimant’s lawyer argued that this language suggests Meta considered children under 13 a key target audience.
Zuckerberg pushed back against that interpretation and said Meta had discussions over the years about creating safer versions of services for children, but claimed the company never released an Instagram platform specifically for under-13s.
Why does Meta say it cannot properly enforce age limits?
Zuckerberg told the court that enforcing age restrictions remains difficult because children can lie about their age when signing up.
He also suggested that device makers and app store operators should carry more responsibility for verifying user age, as social media firms cannot reliably confirm who is behind an account.
This point is likely to become a key point of debate as governments worldwide push for stricter age-verification rules.
Did Meta aim to maximise screen time for young users?
Zuckerberg also faced questions about whether Meta deliberately pushed Instagram teams to increase the amount of time people spent on the app.
Lawyers presented internal communications from earlier years that allegedly set goals for boosting time spent on Instagram by double-digit percentage increases.
Zuckerberg argued that while Meta previously used time-based performance measures, the company has shifted its focus toward improving user experience and well-being.
He insisted that increasing time spent on the platform is not the company’s primary goal today, even if it happens as a side effect of users enjoying the service.
What do internal Meta documents reveal about children and safety?
The trial has brought several internal Meta documents into public view, including emails from senior figures expressing concerns about whether the company’s rules were enforceable.
One email from a former Meta executive reportedly suggested that age limits were difficult to enforce and that inconsistent policies across Meta platforms made it harder to claim the company was doing everything possible.
These internal discussions may strengthen arguments that Meta was aware of safety weaknesses while continuing to pursue user growth.
Why is this trial being called a landmark moment for social media?
Legal experts are paying close attention because the trial could shape how courts treat social media platforms in the future.
For years, tech firms have relied on legal protections that limit their responsibility for harm caused by content posted by users.
However, this case focuses less on user content and more on how the platforms are designed, including features that may encourage endless scrolling, compulsive use, and addictive behaviour.
If the jury sides against Meta, it could open the door for wider legal claims and force major changes across the tech industry.
How could this case affect Meta financially?
Meta faces the risk of paying damages if the jury finds the company liable.
Although the case is being heard in the US, a large ruling could encourage more lawsuits globally and increase pressure on social media companies to tighten safety systems, especially around young users.
Zuckerberg also told the court that teenage users make up less than 1% of Meta’s revenue, suggesting young people are not financially essential to the business.
Critics, however, argue that teens and pre-teens represent long-term future growth and brand loyalty.
What does this mean for the UK and British families?
Although the trial is taking place in California, it carries major implications for UK parents and policymakers.
The UK has already introduced stricter online safety rules that require platforms to reduce harm to children and limit exposure to damaging content.
If the US court finds Meta responsible for harm caused by its design decisions, British regulators may feel more confident pushing for tougher measures, including:
- Stronger age verification rules
- Limits on addictive algorithms
- Stricter controls on teen accounts
- Greater transparency on how platforms recommend content
This is particularly relevant as British parents continue to raise concerns about social media’s effect on children’s sleep, confidence, and mental well-being.
