Billionaire Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified on Wednesday in a crucial trial regarding technology addiction in Los Angeles, where he firmly denied giving orders to increase the time users spend on Meta’s platforms or encouraging children under 13 to join.
During intense cross-examination by attorney Mark Lanier, Zuckerberg appeared irritated as Lanier referenced several internal emails and documents. The tension escalated when Lanier presented an email from December 2015, where Zuckerberg expressed hopes to boost “time spent” on the platform by 12% over three years. Lanier pressed Zuckerberg, asking if he had set that goal.
Zuckerberg acknowledged writing the email but claimed he later moved away from focusing on “time spent” targets, opting instead for “milestones” that provided value to users. He described the email as a brainstorming exercise rather than an official directive.
When confronted about the implications of his email, Zuckerberg insisted he was no longer leading the company in that manner. He also stated that Instagram prohibits users under 13, although when pressed, he conceded that it is unrealistic to expect a nine-year-old to read the terms of service.
The trial centres on allegations that platforms like Instagram and YouTube use addictive features designed to engage younger users, despite known risks. The case is led by a Californian woman, known as K.G.M., who claims that her addiction to social media resulted in significant mental health issues.
As the trial unfolds, issues surrounding technology’s influence on the youth remain central, with experts linking social media use to rising mental health concerns among young people.
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