Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared in court in California in response to a lawsuit alleging that his company, along with Google, contributed to a young woman's mental health decline due to social media addiction. The plaintiff, who began using YouTube at just 6 years old and Instagram at 9, claims that the platforms made her dependent and caused irreparable harm. In his testimony, Zuckerberg acknowledged the difficulties in enforcing age restrictions on Instagram, stating that many users lie about their age in order to gain access to the platform.

During the proceedings, Zuckerberg also admitted that Meta has been slow to implement effective measures to identify and restrict users under the age of 13. This acknowledgment highlights ongoing debates about children's safety on social media platforms and raises critical questions about corporate responsibility in protecting young users from harmful content and addiction.

The case marks a significant moment in the scrutiny of social media companies, as lawyers for the plaintiff pressed Zuckerberg for a statement he made during a congressional hearing in 2024 regarding user safety. The outcome of this case could lead to increased regulatory pressure on Meta and similar companies to ensure better protection for minors, affecting policy changes that impact how social media platforms operate.