META Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg has acknowledged regret over the company’s delayed efforts to identify underage users on Instagram, as he faces intense questioning in a landmark California trial that could set a legal precedent for thousands of lawsuits filed by American families against social media platforms.
Asked about internal complaints suggesting Meta did not do enough to verify whether children under 13 were using Instagram, Zuckerberg, 41, who also oversees Facebook and WhatsApp, stated that improvements have now been implemented.
He added, however, that the company “always wished we could have done it earlier.”
AFP reported today that the trial marks the first time the billionaire has answered questions under oath in court regarding safety aspects of his global social media platforms.
Observers noted that Zuckerberg initially appeared composed but later showed visible signs of discomfort, shaking his head and gesturing with his hands while responding to questions directed by the judge.
Twelve judges in Los Angeles listened as plaintiff attorney Mark Lanier pressed Zuckerberg on age verification measures and the business philosophy guiding company decisions.
Zuckerberg was also confronted with internal emails, including warnings from colleagues that age verification systems were ineffective, alongside messages suggesting that encouraging prolonged engagement on Instagram had long been a core company objective.
The proceedings, expected to continue until the end of March, will determine whether Meta and Google-owned YouTube bear responsibility for mental health issues experienced by Kaley GM, a 20-year-old Californian who has been actively using social media since childhood.
Kaley began using YouTube at six, Instagram at nine, before moving on to TikTok and Snapchat.
Children under 13 are prohibited from using Instagram, yet Lanier questioned Zuckerberg on how Kaley was able to register so easily despite the platform’s lengthy and complex user agreements, which are difficult for children to understand.
The trial is closely watched as a potential precedent for accountability in the social media industry, highlighting growing concerns over youth access, mental health, and corporate responsibility. - February 19, 2026
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