Mark Zuckerberg Testimony Highlights: Meta CEO faces questions on vulnerable social media users

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Lanier questioned Zuckerberg extensively on Meta’s age verification policies.

Zuckerberg emphasized that users under 13 are restricted from the platform.

The CEO stated Meta actively works to detect users who lie about their age.

Zuckerberg commented, “I don’t see why this is so complicated,” regarding age restrictions.

Discussion highlighted the challenges of enforcing age verification on social media platforms.

Plaintiff’s attorney Mark Lanier questioned Zuckerberg about alleged extensive media training for public appearances, including court testimony.

Lanier referenced an internal document advising Zuckerberg to appear “authentic, direct, human, insightful and real” and to avoid being “fake, robotic, corporate or cheesy.”

Zuckerberg denied being coached, saying those offering guidance were “just giving feedback.”

On his public speaking skills, Zuckerberg admitted, “I think I’m actually well known to be sort of bad at this.”

Zuckerberg when asked about his personal compensation, stated that he has pledged to give “almost all” of his money to charity, with a focus on scientific research.

Plaintiff’s attorney Mark Lanier asked how much money Zuckerberg has pledged to victims impacted by social media.

Zuckerberg declined to answer directly, saying: “I disagree with the characterization of your question.”

Mark Lainer, representing KGM, pressed further on the ethical obligations of a tech company: “That is not what a reasonable company should do. A reasonable company should not try to make money off the disadvantaged.”

Zuckerberg defended the company’s stance, emphasizing a focus on user support: “I think a reasonable company should try to help people who use their services.” (Sky News)

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg addressed concerns about how companies interact with vulnerable users.

Mark Lanier, attorney for the 20-year-old plaintiff KGM, began his questioning by framing the discussion around three approaches to vulnerable people:

Help them

Ignore them

“Prey upon them and use them for our own ends”

Mark Zuckerberg agreed that exploiting vulnerable users is unacceptable, stating: “I think a reasonable company should try to help the people that use its services.”

Mark Zuckerberg arrived at Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday morning to testify.

It marks the first time he will speak before a jury about claims his platforms harmed children and teens.

Zuckerberg entered through the courthouse’s front doors around 8:30 a.m. local time.

He walked past parents, members of the media and jurors waiting in line outside.

The Meta CEO did not respond when asked what his message would be to parents who say social media harmed their children. (CNN)

The trial centers on app design, algorithms and personalization features — rather than the content itself.

Plaintiffs argue that features such as infinite scrolling and cosmetic filters were engineered to maximize engagement among young users.

Zuckerberg’s testimony follows that of Adam Mosseri, who said he disagrees with the notion that users can be clinically addicted to social media platforms.

Mosseri emphasized that Instagram works to protect young users and that harming user well-being would not serve the company’s long-term interests.

The lawsuit is one of three selected as “bellwether” trials, meaning its outcome could influence how thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies proceed. Families, school districts, and states across the US have filed claims alleging that platforms contributed to a youth mental health crisis.

A verdict in this case could shape future litigation and corporate accountability standards. Bereaved parents are expected to attend the limited public seating in the courtroom, underscoring the emotional weight of the proceedings.

Meta’s legal team argues that the plaintiff’s mental health challenges stem from a troubled childhood rather than social media use.

Company lawyers told jurors that Instagram served as a creative outlet for the woman, not the root cause of her struggles. The defense maintains that Meta has invested heavily in safety features and continues to refine its platforms to protect young users.

Meta citing findings from the National Academies of Sciences, stating that existing research does not conclusively show that social media directly alters children’s mental health.

Meta and Google deny the claims, arguing they have implemented numerous safety tools and parental controls aimed at protecting younger users.

A key focus of the trial is Meta’s internal research on Instagram’s effects on younger users.

Zuckerberg is expected to face questions about internal studies and discussions regarding teen engagement and mental health. Last week, Instagram head Adam Mosseri testified that he was unaware of a recent Meta study suggesting no link between parental supervision and teens’ attentiveness to their own social media usage.

The trial comes amid growing global scrutiny over social media’s impact on children and teenagers.

Countries including Australia and Spain have introduced restrictions barring users under 16 from accessing social media platforms. In the United States, Florida has enacted a law prohibiting companies from allowing children under 14 to create accounts, though that law is being challenged in court by tech industry trade groups.

The lawsuit was filed by a California woman who began using Instagram and YouTube, owned by Google, as a child.

She alleges the companies deliberately designed their platforms to maximize engagement among minors despite knowing the potential mental health risks. According to the complaint, prolonged use contributed to her depression and suicidal thoughts. She is seeking damages and to hold the companies legally accountable.

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms and founder of Facebook, is set to be questioned today in a Los Angeles jury trial over allegations that Instagram harmed the mental health of young users.

The testimony marks the first time Zuckerberg will face questioning in a US court on this issue. While he has previously appeared before Congress, the current proceedings carry direct financial and legal risks.

If Meta loses, it could face substantial damages and potentially weaken the legal protections that have long shielded tech companies from liability over user harm.