Mark Zuckerberg faces questions about Instagram users under 13 at landmark trial

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in court on Wednesday during a landmark trial addressing social media addiction and potential legal remedies, specifically facing questions about Instagram's practices regarding users under 13. The high-profile testimony comes as social media platforms face increasing scrutiny over their impact on younger users. Despite Instagram's official policy prohibiting users under 13, reports suggest millions of children below the minimum age use the platform, often with limited parental oversight. The trial represents a significant moment in the ongoing debate about social media's effects on mental health, particularly among adolescents, with legal experts viewing it as potentially precedent-setting. Zuckerberg's testimony focused on the addictive nature of social media platforms and the measures Meta has taken—or failed to take—to protect younger users. This case comes amid growing regulatory pressure on Big Tech companies, with lawmakers in multiple countries considering legislation to curb the potentially harmful effects of social media on children's development.