In a landmark trial examining the impact of social media on teenage mental health, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg faced intense questioning in court and admitted that preventing children under 13 from accessing Instagram is “extremely difficult” because many users misrepresent their age.
The case has been filed by a 20-year-old woman, identified as Kaley G.M., who alleges that Meta’s Instagram and Google’s YouTube contributed to her long-term mental health struggles. The trial, which began on February 9, is being closely watched as a potential precedent for thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies.
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Debate over who should verify age
Zuckerberg told the court that Meta has introduced “proactive tools” to detect and remove accounts belonging to underage users, but acknowledged the challenge remains significant. He argued that age verification should also be the responsibility of smartphone manufacturers and app store operators — Apple and Google — before an app is downloaded.
He noted that many children do not possess official identification such as driver’s licences, making reliable age verification technically difficult.
Internal documents show focus on teen users
Lawyers for the plaintiff presented internal Meta emails and presentations indicating that teenagers were considered critical to the company’s long-term growth strategy. The documents outlined detailed plans to attract users across age segments ranging from pre-teens to older teenagers.
Some internal communications also revealed concerns within the company about child safety policies. A senior policy executive had reportedly acknowledged that age restrictions were not being effectively enforced, making it difficult to claim full compliance.
Claim of account created at age nine
During the hearing, the plaintiff’s counsel said the woman had created an Instagram account at the age of nine, despite the platform’s minimum age requirement of 13. The lawyer questioned whether a child of that age could realistically understand and consent to the platform’s terms and conditions.
Meta’s defence: teens not a major revenue driver
Zuckerberg stated that teenagers do not represent a significant share of Meta’s revenue, which is primarily driven by advertising. “Most teens do not have substantial disposable income,” he said, arguing that they are not a key commercial driver for the company.
He also highlighted safety measures introduced in recent years, including “teen accounts” launched in 2024 that automatically restrict content and interactions for users under 18. Default content settings for minors have been set to a “PG-13” level, and younger teens face limitations on features such as live streaming.
Long-standing scrutiny over teen safety
Meta has faced sustained criticism over the potential negative impact of Instagram on young users, particularly girls. Internal documents made public in 2021 suggested employees were aware of possible mental health risks associated with the platform.
Wider legal implications
The trial is expected to continue through the end of March and could play a decisive role in determining the legal responsibility of social media companies for child safety. Its outcome may influence ongoing and future cases involving Meta, Google, TikTok and Snap.
Experts say the proceedings could shape new regulatory frameworks on age verification and define how far technology companies must go to protect minors online, making it one of the most consequential legal tests for the social media industry to date.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
