LOS ANGELES (AP) — and opposing attorneys sparred in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday, where the Meta CEO fielded questions about young users’ engagement with, his congressional testimony, and internal guidance he’s received about being “authentic” and not “robotic.”
Zuckerberg’s testimony is part of a legal proceeding that raises questions about whether Meta’s platforms intentionally addict and harm minors.
By early afternoon, Zuckerberg had yet to directly address the core question of the case: whether Instagram is addictive. Mark Lanier, the plaintiff’s lawyer, asked if people typically use something more often if it is addictive.
“I’m not sure what to say to that,” Zuckerberg said. “I don’t think that applies here.”
Lawyers representing the plaintiff—a now 20-year-old woman identified by the initials KGM—assert that her early social media use led to addiction to the technology and worsened her depression and suicidal thoughts. Meta Platforms and Google’s are the two remaining defendants in the case, which
Opening his questioning, Lanier outlined three choices for how people can act toward vulnerable individuals: help them, ignore them, or “prey upon them and use them for our own ends.” Zuckerberg agreed the last option is not what a reasonable company should do, stating, “I think a reasonable company should try to help the people that use its services.”
When asked about his compensation, Zuckerberg noted he has pledged to donate “almost all” of his wealth to charity, focusing on scientific research. Lanier inquired how much money he had committed to victims affected by social media, to which Zuckerberg replied, “I disagree with the characterization of your question.”
Lanier grilled the Meta CEO extensively about a comment he made during a, where he claimed Instagram employees are not given targets to boost the time people spend on the platform.
Lanier presented internal documents that seemed to contradict that statement. Zuckerberg responded that the company previously had time-related goals but made a deliberate decision to shift away from them, instead focusing on utility. He expressed belief in the “basic assumption” that “if something is valuable, people will use it more because it’s useful to them.”
Lanier also asked Zuckerberg about what he described as extensive media training—including preparation for testimonies like the one he was giving in court. Lanier pointed to an internal document offering feedback on Zuckerberg’s tone on his personal social media, urging him to come across as “authentic, direct, human, insightful and real,” and advising him to avoid being “try hard, fake, robotic, corporate or cheesy” in his communications.
Zuckerberg pushed back against the notion that he had been coached on how to answer questions or present himself, saying those providing the advice were “just giving feedback.”
Regarding his media appearances and public speaking, Zuckerberg said, “I think I’m actually well known to be sort of bad at this.”
The Meta CEO has long been ridiculed online for appearing robotic and, in his younger years, nervous when speaking publicly. In 2010, during an interview with prominent tech journalists Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg, he was sweating so heavily that Swisher asked if he wanted to “take off the hoodie” that was his usual attire at the time.
Lanier spent a significant portion of his limited time with Zuckerberg asking about the company’s age verification policies.
“I don’t see why this is so complicated,” Zuckerberg said after a lengthy exchange, repeating that the company’s policy prohibits users under 13 and that they work to detect those who lie about their age to bypass restrictions.
Zuckerberg mostly stuck to his prepared talking points, referencing his goal of building a valuable platform for users and, on several occasions, stating he disagreed with Lanier’s “characterization” of his questions or remarks.
Zuckerberg has testified in other trials and answered questions from on Meta’s platforms. During his 2024 congressional testimony, he apologized to families whose lives had been upended by tragedies they believed were caused by social media. But while he told parents he was “sorry for everything you have all been through,” he stopped short of taking direct responsibility. This trial marks the first time Zuckerberg has appeared before a jury. Once again, grieving parents are in the courtroom audience.
This case, along with two others, has been selected as a bellwether trial—meaning its outcome could influence how thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies unfold.
A Meta spokesperson said the company strongly rejects the lawsuit’s allegations and is “confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.”
Paul Schmidt, one of Meta’s attorneys, stated in his opening remarks that the company does not dispute KGM’s mental health struggles but contests that Instagram played a substantial role in them. He cited medical records showing a turbulent home life, and both he and a YouTube attorney argue she turned to their platforms as a coping mechanism or escape from her mental health issues.
Zuckerberg’s testimony comes a week after that of, the head of Meta’s Instagram, who told the court he disagrees with the idea that people can be clinically addicted to social media platforms. Mosseri maintained that Instagram works hard to protect young users and noted, “It’s not good for the company, over the long run, to make decisions that profit us but harm people’s well-being.”
Much of the plaintiff’s lawyer’s questioning of Mosseri centered on Instagram’s cosmetic filters that alter appearance—a topic Lanier is sure to revisit with Zuckerberg. He is also expected to face questions about Instagram’s algorithm, the infinite nature of Meta’s feeds, and other features the plaintiffs claim are designed to hook users.
Meta is also facing a separate that began last week.