Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified this month in a Los Angeles County Superior Court case that will determine whether social media companies are liable for youth mental health issues. The lawsuit, "K.G.M. v. Platforms et al.," centres on a 19-year-old plaintiff who claims using platforms like Instagram led to addiction and depression.
Internal company documents presented in court show Instagram tracked growing daily user time, which increased from 40 minutes in 2023 to 46 minutes in 2026. Lawyers for the plaintiff argue this focus on "time-spent" metrics was a key internal goal, despite Meta's awareness of millions of underage users on its platform.
Internal Emails Reveal Teen Focus
During testimony, Zuckerberg was questioned about a 2024 statement to Congress that children under 13 were not allowed on Instagram. Plaintiffs' lawyers presented a 2015 internal document estimating 4 million under-13 users, representing 30% of all 10-12-year-olds in the U.S. at the time.
Zuckerberg stated he answered Congress honestly regarding company policy and that Instagram removes underage accounts it finds. He distinguished between tracking "milestones" and having specific "goals" for increasing teen usage.
However, internal emails referenced by the plaintiff's legal team indicated a clear corporate priority. One email from a former product manager stated, "Our overall company goal is total teen time spent," while another noted that "Mark has decided that the top priority for the company in the first half of 2017 is teens."
Age Enforcement and Platform Changes
Further documentation revealed internal recognition that age requirements were "unenforceable," according to an email from former Zuckerberg advisor Nick Clegg. The plaintiff's lawyers argued Instagram did not take action to address existing underage users until August 2021, when it began requiring birthday information.
Meta responded that it began asking for age at sign-up for new users in 2019. The company disputes that its app is responsible for the plaintiff's mental health struggles, citing other significant challenges she faced before using social media.
While Meta has since rolled out teen protection features and parental controls, internal documents show a continued ambition for Instagram to be the largest teen destination by monthly active users globally this year.
Broader Legal Context and Settlements
The trial represents Zuckerberg's first-ever appearance before a jury. Social media firms Snap and TikTok settled with plaintiffs before the trial began, while Meta and YouTube chose to proceed. Executives from both remaining companies are expected to give testimony.
The case's outcome could set a significant precedent for holding technology platforms accountable for product design and its impact on young users' wellbeing.