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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in Los Angeles County Superior Court this February to address allegations that Instagram’s addictive design and aggressive focus on “time-spent” metrics contributed to severe mental health struggles for teenage users. The legal proceeding, K.G.M. v. Platforms et al., centers on whether social media companies are liable for youth depression and addiction, marking one of Zuckerberg’s rare appearances before a jury.
Legal Dispute Over Youth Mental Health
The lawsuit was filed by a 19-year-old plaintiff identified as K.G.M., or “Kaley,” who claims that early exposure to social media led to technology addiction, depression, and suicidal ideation. While competitors like Snap and TikTok settled before the trial began, Meta and YouTube executives are providing testimony as the jury determines if their platforms’ designs were a substantial factor in the plaintiff’s condition.
Meta’s Defense and Plaintiff Allegations
Meta disputes the claims, arguing that the plaintiff’s mental health challenges existed prior to her social media use. Meta spokesperson Stephanie Otway stated in an email that the evidence will show the plaintiff faced “many significant, difficult challenges” before joining the platform. The defense maintains that Instagram is not responsible for the specific struggles cited in the case.
Internal Tracking of “Time-Spent” Metrics
Documentation revealed during the trial shows that Instagram closely tracked the time users spent on the app, noting “milestones” in engagement growth. Internal data indicated that daily usage increased from 40 minutes per day in 2023 to a projected 46 minutes per day in 2026. Lawyers for the plaintiff argue these metrics prove Meta prioritized engagement over user safety.
Zuckerberg Addresses “Teen Time” Goals
During his testimony, Zuckerberg was questioned about internal emails and documents suggesting that increasing “total teen time spent” was a top corporate priority. One 2017 email from a former product manager stated that Zuckerberg had decided teens were the company’s “top priority.” Zuckerberg pushed back, clarifying that the company tracked “milestones” rather than specific “goals” for the development team.
Controversy Over Underage Users
The trial highlighted discrepancies between Zuckerberg’s 2024 Congressional testimony and internal records. While Zuckerberg told Congress that children under 13 were prohibited, 2015 documents showed the company was aware of 4 million underage users on the app, representing 30% of all 10- to 12-year-olds in the U.S. at that time. Zuckerberg testified that the company followed its policies and removed underage accounts when discovered.
Age Verification and Global Retention
Internal communications from former adviser Nick Clegg described Instagram’s age requirements as essentially “unenforceable.” Although Meta claims it began asking for ages at sign-up in 2019, plaintiff lawyers argued that mandatory birthday entries for existing users were not implemented until August 2021.
Despite the recent rollout of parental controls and teen protections, internal documents suggest Meta still aims for Instagram to become the primary global destination for teens. Data from 2018 identified tweens as the “highest retention age group” in the U.S., reinforcing the platform’s strategic interest in younger demographics.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide or needs to talk, there are people who want to help. Call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
