Zuckerberg Admits Slow Action on Underage Instagram Users: 2026 Court Testimony Explained

What is the Instagram Underage User Controversy?

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has publicly acknowledged that his company was too slow in addressing the issue of underage Instagram users during a landmark 2026 court testimony in Los Angeles. The Meta founder expressed regret about the company's delayed response to identifying and removing children under 13 from the platform, stating 'I had always wished we could have gotten there sooner' when questioned about Instagram's age verification systems. This admission came during a high-stakes trial examining whether social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube are intentionally designed to be addictive to children and teenagers.

The Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial

The case, which began in late January 2026, represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate about social media's impact on youth mental health. The plaintiff, a 20-year-old woman identified as Kaley G.M., alleges that she became addicted to Instagram and YouTube as a child, leading to severe depression and suicidal thoughts. She claims she started using YouTube at age 6 and Instagram at age 9, despite both platforms requiring users to be at least 13 years old. The lawsuit accuses Meta and Alphabet (Google's parent company) of deliberately designing addictive features that exploit children's psychological vulnerabilities for advertising revenue.

This trial serves as a bellwether case that could set precedent for thousands of similar lawsuits filed by families and school districts across the United States. The legal proceedings have already revealed internal Meta documents showing the company was aware of the platform's impact on vulnerable youth. According to court filings, a 2015 internal document indicated Instagram had approximately 4 million users under the age of 13 at that time.

Zuckerberg's Courtroom Testimony

During his testimony, Zuckerberg defended Meta's current position on age verification while acknowledging past shortcomings. 'We're now in the right place when it comes to age verification,' he told the jury, adding that new tools and methods would continue to be developed over time. The Meta CEO appeared initially reserved but became more animated as questioning continued, shaking his head and gesturing with his hands while addressing the jury.

Zuckerberg disputed claims that Meta intentionally designs Instagram to be addictive, stating the company focuses on building sustainable communities rather than maximizing user time. However, plaintiffs' attorney Mark Lanier countered that many of Meta's safety features weren't available when children like the plaintiff first joined the platform. The trial has examined internal company communications where employees reportedly compared Instagram to 'a drug' and YouTube to 'a casino.'

The Smart Glasses Controversy

In a dramatic courtroom moment, the judge issued a stern warning to Meta employees wearing the company's AI-powered smart glasses during Zuckerberg's testimony. 'This is very serious,' the judge declared, threatening anyone using the glasses to record proceedings with contempt of court charges. The incident highlighted the legal challenges posed by wearable technology with recording capabilities in sensitive environments like courtrooms.

Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, which have seen sales triple in 2025, feature camera and AI capabilities that raised concerns about surreptitious recording. The judge explicitly prohibited their use for recording, stating 'If you have done that, you must remove it, otherwise you will be found guilty.' This development underscores how emerging technologies are creating new legal and ethical dilemmas in traditional settings.

Meta's Age Verification Improvements

In response to growing regulatory pressure, Meta has been implementing new age verification systems to comply with tightening global child safety regulations. The company is developing a unified age verification system called AgeKey in partnership with Singapore-based startup K-ID. This system allows users to verify their age once using phone biometrics and reuse that verification across multiple apps, similar to how passkeys work.

The AgeKey system is designed to protect privacy by only confirming whether users meet age requirements without sharing exact birth dates or personal details. This development comes as countries like Australia, the UK, and parts of the US and Europe introduce stricter rules governing teenage social media use. Australia recently implemented a ban for users under 16, reflecting a global trend toward more stringent social media regulation for minors.

Broader Implications for Tech Industry

The trial's outcome could have far-reaching consequences for the entire social media industry. If the plaintiffs succeed, it could establish legal precedent holding tech companies accountable for designing addictive features that harm children's mental health. This case represents one of the most significant challenges to social media companies' liability protections under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

Already, TikTok and Snap (parent company of Snapchat) have reached settlements with the plaintiff before trial, suggesting these companies recognized the potential risks of proceeding to verdict. The remaining defendants, Meta and Alphabet, face not only potential financial liability but also the prospect of mandated changes to their platform designs and business practices.

The trial has also highlighted the tension between technological innovation and child protection. As social media platforms continue to evolve with features like AI-powered content recommendation algorithms, regulators and courts are increasingly scrutinizing their impact on vulnerable populations. This case may accelerate calls for more comprehensive digital safety legislation and age-appropriate design codes for online platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Zuckerberg admit about underage Instagram users?

Zuckerberg acknowledged that Meta was too slow in addressing the issue of children under 13 using Instagram, stating he wished the company 'could have gotten there sooner' with age verification improvements.

What is the social media addiction trial about?

The trial examines whether Meta and Alphabet intentionally designed Instagram and YouTube to be addictive to children, with a 20-year-old plaintiff claiming these platforms caused her depression and suicidal thoughts after using them as a child.

Why were Meta smart glasses controversial in court?

The judge threatened contempt charges against anyone using Meta's AI-powered smart glasses to record proceedings, highlighting concerns about surreptitious recording capabilities in sensitive legal settings.

What age verification system is Meta implementing?

Meta is developing AgeKey, a unified age verification system that uses phone biometrics to confirm users meet age requirements without sharing personal details, in response to global child safety regulations.

How many underage users did Instagram have in 2015?

According to internal documents presented in court, Instagram had approximately 4 million users under the age of 13 in 2015, despite the platform's minimum age requirement of 13.

Sources

This article draws from multiple sources including court documents, testimony transcripts, and reporting from: CBS News coverage of Zuckerberg testimony, NBC News trial reporting, Forbes coverage of smart glasses controversy, and USA Today trial background.