At the trial, lawyers pressed Zuckerberg over internal complaints that Meta had not done enough to enforce age limits and effectively verify users’ ages, allowing children to create accounts despite rules barring users under 13. Zuckerberg said the company has since improved its age-verification methods, but conceded that progress was too slow. “I always wish that we could have gotten there sooner,” he told jurors.
The trial — part of a series of cases that could set legal precedents for thousands of related lawsuits — centres on allegations that social media platforms, including Instagram and Google’s YouTube, were intentionally engineered to maximise engagement among young users, contributing to addiction and mental health issues.
Zuckerberg’s testimony represents one of his first direct responses under oath to such criticisms, as the court weighs evidence on whether Meta’s age-verification systems and safety measures have been adequate to protect minors.
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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has expressed regret over his company’s slow efforts to identify under-13 users on Instagram, acknowledging shortcomings in age verification as he testified at a high-profile social media trial in Los Angeles. Los Angeles, USA — Meta Platforms Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg has acknowledged that his company was slow to identify and prevent under-13...
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- Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has expressed regret over his company’s slow efforts to identify under-13 users on Instagram, acknowledging shortcomings in age verification as he testified at a high-profile social media trial in Los Angeles.
- Los Angeles, USA — Meta Platforms Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg has acknowledged that his company was slow to identify and prevent under-13 users from accessing Instagram, saying he “wished” better progress had been made earlier.Zuckerberg made the comments on Wednesday while testifying at a landmark social media trial in Los Angeles, where he is facing sharp criticism over whether Meta’s platforms are designed to be addictive to children and harmful to their mental health.
- At the trial, lawyers pressed Zuckerberg over internal complaints that Meta had not done enough to enforce age limits and effectively verify users’ ages, allowing children to create accounts despite rules barring users under 13.
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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has expressed regret over his company’s slow efforts to identify under-13 users on Instagram, acknowledging shortcomings in age verification as he testified at a high-profile social media trial in Los Angeles. Los Angeles, USA — Meta Platforms Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg has acknowledged that his company was slow to identify and prevent under-13...
Who published this story?
Glow 99.1 FM published this story with Oyetoke Adedayo Ebenezer listed as author.
When was it published?
February 19, 2026
