In a high-stakes trial, Mark Zuckerberg was confronted with his own emails and internal company presentations that suggest Meta was more interested in "screen time" than child safety.
This is the first time a jury will decide if social media companies are legally responsible for the mental health of their youngest users.
While Zuckerberg told Congress in 2024 that kids under 13 aren't allowed on Instagram, the trial revealed that Meta knew millions of "tweens" were using the app for years.
The plaintiff’s lawyer compared Instagram’s design to a dopamine-seeking "slot machine" that keeps kids swiping even when it makes them feel bad about their bodies.
Meta’s lawyers claim Kaley’s mental health struggles were caused by a "turbulent home life," not the app. They argue social media was a way for her to escape her problems, not the cause of them.
Because Snap and TikTok have already settled their parts of this case, all eyes are on Meta and Google. The verdict could force social media apps to change how they are built worldwide.
