Mark Zuckerberg Speaks Openly at First Hearing on Children’s Mental Health and Social Media

Daftarsbmptn.com – Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Meta Platforms, officially appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court, California, on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) to testify in a landmark trial highlighting the impact of social media platforms like Instagram on the mental health of children and adolescents.

The trial is part of a major lawsuit filed by a 20-year-old woman identified as KGM. She claims that childhood exposure to social media led to her developing a scrolling addiction, mental health issues, and worsened symptoms of depression. The lawsuit targets several major technology companies, including Meta Platforms (parent of Instagram and Facebook) and Google (YouTube).

Zuckerberg appeared in person in court to address allegations that the design of social media platforms is intentionally addictive and harmful to young users. This was his first time testifying in person before a jury in a case specifically linking social media to children’s mental health issues, despite his previous testimony before the US Congress.

Zuckerberg’s Response in Court

In the trial, which was broadcast by international media, Zuckerberg stated that Meta Platforms never designed its apps with the intention of making children addicted. He emphasized that the company is focused on its mission to create a positive and safe community for all users, including children and teens.

“We developed this platform to be good, not to harm anyone’s mental well-being,” Zuckerberg told the jury, denying allegations that Instagram intentionally designed its features to attract minors.

Zuckerberg also highlighted Meta’s efforts to minimize negative impacts, such as its 13-year-old minimum age requirement, parental control tools, and safety features introduced in recent years. He stated that the company actively works to detect and prevent underage use, although implementation challenges remain significant.

Confrontation with Internal Documents

While Zuckerberg denied the allegations, the plaintiffs’ attorneys presented several internal company documents showing strategies to increase app usage time, including specific targets for engaging teen users more frequently. This became a key point of contention in the trial.

The documents showed that several features, such as beauty filters and content recommendations, were discussed internally as tools to increase engagement with young users though Meta claimed not to have explicitly used that data to inform its feature design.

Children’s Mental Health Issues and Public Reaction

This legal case comes amid growing global concern about the mental health of children and adolescents, particularly regarding the use of digital technology. Research shows that excessive engagement with social media can be linked to social isolation, sleep disturbances, and depressive symptoms in some young people.

Mental health experts testifying at the trial also demonstrated that while social media offers communication benefits, there is a link between excessive use and increased psychological distress. They highlighted the fact that algorithmic features often trigger strong attachments, particularly among adolescents who are undergoing emotional development.

Furthermore, families of victims present in court shared their personal experiences, which they said demonstrate the negative impact of social media on their children’s lives. This has increased public pressure for large technology companies to be held accountable.

Meta’s Response and Improvement Efforts

In his testimony, Zuckerberg also highlighted various initiatives Meta has launched to improve the safety of young users on its platform. These include time limits, controls on explicit content, and partnerships with mental health organizations to provide resources for users.

While the lawsuit is ongoing, Meta emphasized that it is continuously evaluating and updating its platform’s safety policies. The company hopes this trial will provide an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to protecting children and teens, not only from harmful content but also from unhealthy interactions in the digital world.