{"id":2571243,"date":"2026-02-18T19:34:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T00:34:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/zuckerberg-grilled-in-social-media-addiction-trial\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T19:36:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T00:36:16","slug":"zuckerberg-grilled-in-social-media-addiction-trial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/zuckerberg-grilled-in-social-media-addiction-trial\/","title":{"rendered":"Zuckerberg grilled in social media addiction trial"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fzuckerberg-grilled-in-social-media-addiction-trial%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2571243&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was grilled in a Los Angeles trial over the company\u2019s goals for attracting younger users and the alleged addictive nature of its platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, as well as YouTube. The case, described as a first-of-its-kind, centers on claims by a 19-year-old plaintiff identified as K.G.M. that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/police-responding-to-pro-palestinian-march-surrounded-prevented-from-leaving\/\" title=\"Police at Pro...Palestinian March Trapped, Unable to Depart\">social media contributed<\/a> to depression and suicidal thoughts through addictive use.<\/p>\n<p>Questioning focused on age-verification policies and efforts to prevent under-13 access, with Zuckerberg noting that Meta restricts younger users and tries to detect false age information. an internal 2018 Instagram slide suggesting \u201cIf we want to win big with teens, we must bring them in as tweens\u201d was cited to probe why the company pursued younger audiences; Zuckerberg argued that internal discussions evolved toward safer, kid-kind versions of services.<\/p>\n<p>Zuckerberg defended that there were varying conversations over time about time-use goals and noted that if something is valuable,people will use it more. Instagram\u2019s head, Adam Mosseri, pushed back on claims of clinical addiction and argued that decisions should not prioritize profit over people\u2019s well-being. Meta and YouTube deny that their platforms are harmfully addictive and contend that Section 230 protections shield them from liability.<\/p>\n<p>Snapchat\u2019s owner Snap and TikTok were named in the suit but settled with K.G.M. for undisclosed amounts.The jury is allowed to continue using the platforms, and the trial is expected to proceed over the coming weeks, reflecting heightened scrutiny of social media and its impact on youth.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Zuckerberg grilled on Meta&rsquo;s targeting of teenagers in social media addiction trial<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2500904\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Meta CEO <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mark-zuckerberg\/\">Mark Zuckerberg<\/a> faced sharp questions about his <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >social media company&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s goals for attracting younger users during a Wednesday hearing in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n<p>Zuckerberg was called to the witness stand in the ongoing trial in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4450855\/jury-media-platforms-addiction-case-judge\/\">first-of-its-kind case<\/a> accusing social media&nbsp;companies <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/meta\/\">Meta<\/a> &mdash; which operates Instagram and Facebook &mdash; and YouTube of making their platforms harmfully addictive. The case centers on claims made by a 19-year-old, identified only as K.G.M. in the lawsuit, that she became addicted to the media, blaming that addiction for leading to her depression and suicidal thoughts.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4461949\/fbi-patel-antifa-funding-investigation\/\">FBI Director Patel says investigators have found antifa funding sources<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4461616\/netflix-warner-bros-merger-lawsuit\/\">Netflix faces consumer lawsuit as Warner Bros. merger scrutiny mounts<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4461762\/les-wexner-deposition-conned-in-epstein-relationship-did-nothing-wrong\/\">Les Wexner testifies he was &#8216;conned&#8217; in Epstein relationship but did &#8216;nothing wrong&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>During Zuckerberg&rsquo;s time on the stand during the trial on Wednesday, he was grilled by lawyers on a variety of topics, including how Meta safeguards against underage users from accessing its platforms and its goal regarding teenagers&rsquo; use of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-new-acting-attorney-general-jeff-rosen-recently-wrote-an-essay-on-foreign-influence-in-us-elections-this-tells-us-a-little-about-his-knowledge-of-whats-going-on-today\/\" title=\"The New Acting Attorney General Jeff Rosen Recently Wrote an Essay on Foreign Influence in US Elections \u2013 This Tells Us A Little About His Knowledge of What\u2019s Going On Today\">social media platforms<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>K.G.M.&rsquo;s lawyer, Mark Lanier, spent a significant part of his questioning asking about the platform&rsquo;s age verification policies, according to the <em>Associated Press<\/em>. Zuckerberg explained that the company restricts users under 13 years old and tries to detect when a user has lied about their age to go around those rules. The Meta CEO said he did not &ldquo;see why this is so complicated,&rdquo; after continued questions about its age verification policy.<\/p>\n<p>Lanier also pointed to an internal <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/instagram\/\">Instagram<\/a> presentation from 2018 that claimed, &ldquo;If we want to win big with teens, we must bring them in as tweens,&rdquo; and questioned why the company set a goal of attracting younger users.<\/p>\n<p>Zuckerberg said Lanier was &ldquo;mischaracterizing what I am saying,&rdquo; but did add that the company &ldquo;had different conversations over time to try to build different <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/sustainability\/society-equity\/metas-zuckerberg-faces-questioning-youth-addiction-trial-2026-02-18\/\">versions of services that kids can safely use<\/a>,&rdquo; per <em>Reuters<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>During Wednesday&rsquo;s proceedings, Lainer questioned Zuckerberg about the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/story\/social-media-trial-latest-mark-zuckerberg-to-appear-before-jury-for-first-time-13508905?postid=11093898#liveblog-body\">time-use goals<\/a> Meta had discussed in internal documents. Zuckerberg defended the company&rsquo;s internal goal to encourage users to spend more time on Instagram, saying &ldquo;if something is valuable, people will do it more because it&rsquo;s useful to them,&rdquo; per Sky News.<\/p>\n<p>Zuckerberg&rsquo;s grilling on the stand came a week after the head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, pushed back on claims that someone could be clinically addicted to social media. Mosseri also defended the platform&rsquo;s decisions, saying it is &ldquo;not good for the company, over the long run, to make decisions that profit for us but are <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/instagram-social-media-addiction-trial-mosseri-los-angeles-a49f64e21682e8bc1b98fbdf3d061579\">poor for people&rsquo;s well-being<\/a>,&rdquo; per the <em>Associated Press<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Both Meta and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/youtube\/\">YouTube <\/a>have strongly denied allegations that their platforms are harmfully addictive, also claiming that Section 230, a federal statute that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jury-can-keep-using-platforms-at-center-of-social-media-addiction-case-judge\/\" title=\"Jury can keep using ... at center of ...: Judge\">generally protects online platforms<\/a> from liability for user-posted content, should protect them from liability in this case.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4450855\/jury-media-platforms-addiction-case-judge\/\">JURY CAN KEEP USING PLATFORMS AT CENTER OF SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION CASE: JUDGE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Snap, the owner of Snapchat, and TikTok were also named in the initial lawsuit, but the two companies settled with K.G.M. for an undisclosed amount ahead of the trial.<\/p>\n<p>Social media and its addictive qualities have been increasingly under the microscope for the past decade, with the heads of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/social-media-companies-face-first-trial-over-addiction-to-their-platforms\/\" title=\"... companies face first ... over addiction to their ...\">social media companies testifying<\/a> before <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/congress\/\">Congress<\/a> and platforms making adjustments for younger users, but the trial in Los Angeles marks a new step in the scrutiny toward the platforms. The trial, which began earlier this month, is expected to continue over the coming weeks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Zuckerberg grilled over teens target in addiction case<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2638,"featured_media":2571244,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26049604900542.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[72039,72171,74069,4853,4576],"class_list":["post-2571243","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-addiction-2","tag-social-media-2","tag-tech-news-2","tag-trial","tag-zuckerberg"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26049604900542.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571243","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2638"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2571243"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571243\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2571247,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571243\/revisions\/2571247"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2571244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2571243"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2571243"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2571243"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}