Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told a Los Angeles jury on Wednesday that some users lie about their age when signing up for Instagram, addressing claims that millions of children under 13 have accessed the platform. His testimony came in a high-profile trial examining whether social media companies harmed young users.
Zuckerberg said Meta removes underage users when identified and requires age disclosures during signup.
Lawyers for the plaintiff challenged whether those safeguards are sufficient, questioning if young children can realistically understand age restrictions.
BREAKING: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg takes stand in landmark social media trial, acknowledges difficulty in enforcing policy that prohibits children under 13 from joining Instagram https://t.co/eLMndVjqZk
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 18, 2026
The case centers on allegations that Instagram and other platforms contributed to addiction and mental health problems.
Zuckerberg also acknowledged that his control of voting shares allows him to retain his position, reinforcing past comments about Meta’s governance.
Meta denies wrongdoing, arguing that broader personal and family factors, not social media alone, caused the plaintiff’s struggles. The case is one of several lawsuits being compared to a “Big Tobacco” moment for the tech industry.
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