Zuckerberg Admits Regret Over Slow Action on Underage Instagram Users
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has publicly acknowledged shortcomings in his company’s efforts to identify and restrict children under 13 from using Instagram — during a high‑profile legal trial in Los Angeles.
What Happened in Court?
In a landmark lawsuit brought by American families, Zuckerberg testified under oath before a jury in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The case focuses on whether social media platforms contribute to mental health issues in young users and deliberately make their apps addictive.
Zuckerberg faced tough questioning from lawyers, especially over Instagram’s enforcement of its age‑limit policy — which states that no one under 13 should be using the platform. Internal papers showed millions of young children signed up anyway.
Zuckerberg admitted the company was slow to act. “I always wish that we could have gotten there sooner,” he told jurors when asked about complaints that Meta didn’t do enough to verify user ages early on.
Challenges With Age Verification
Zuckerberg explained that enforcing age limits is difficult because many users lie about their age when signing up. Meta has since introduced tools to identify and remove underage accounts, but critics say these came too late.
He also suggested that major smartphone makers should add age checks at the device level — arguing that what Meta and other apps do now isn’t sufficient.
Trial Context and Wider Claims
The trial goes beyond age checks. Plaintiffs argue that Instagram and other tech platforms are designed to keep users online for long periods, worsening issues like anxiety, depression and negative body image. Meta denies these claims, saying it strives to make its platforms safe and beneficial.
The main case centers on a 20‑year‑old plaintiff, identified in court as Kaley G.M., who says she began using YouTube at age 6 and Instagram at age 9 and now blames prolonged social media use for mental health struggles.
“I always wish that we could have gotten there sooner.” — Mark Zuckerberg on Meta’s slow progress in identifying underage Instagram users.
Zuckerberg’s testimony marks a rare and direct admission of regret from one of the world’s most powerful tech leaders about how his company handled youth safety. As legal scrutiny over social media’s impact on children grows internationally, this trial could influence how platforms enforce age limits and protect young users in the future.
