Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg dismissed his own company's research showing negative effects on users during a deposition played for New Mexico jurors this week, while acknowledging he once set goals to increase teenage engagement for revenue growth.
The recorded testimony from March 2025 became public Wednesday as part of a bellwether trial examining whether Meta violated state consumer protection laws by failing to disclose addiction dangers and child exploitation risks on Facebook and Instagram. Prosecutors presented internal communications dating back to 2008 that discussed "problematic" and addictive social media use.
Zuckerberg repeatedly rejected the characterization of Meta's products as addictive during questioning by New Mexico attorney Previn Warren. "I think people sometimes use that word colloquially," he said.
"That's not what we're trying to do with the products, and it's not how I think they work."
Yet the CEO conceded he initially focused on increasing time spent by teenagers on Meta platforms as part of efforts to expand business revenue and user numbers. "Yes, I think we focused on time spent as one of the major engagement goals," Zuckerberg stated, noting the company shifted to other metrics around 2017.
The deposition revealed Zuckerberg downplaying multiple internal research findings about platform effects. When shown a document stating Facebook contributors "learn to associate the act of posting with feedback" leading them to "seek rewards by visiting the site more often," he responded, "I'm not sure if that's actually how it works in practice."
Another document written by a Meta researcher stated "there is increasing scientific evidence...that the average net effect of Facebook on people's well being is slightly negative." Zuckerberg countered that "my understanding is that the general consensus view is not that."
Prosecutors also questioned Zuckerberg about his decision to lift a temporary Instagram ban on cosmetic filters that altered users' appearances in ways critics said promoted plastic surgery. "I care a lot about not cracking down on the ways that people can express themselves," he said, adding anecdotal examples weren't convincing evidence of harm.
The New Mexico case represents one front in broader legal challenges against social media companies, with a separate trial underway in Los Angeles. Both could influence thousands of similar lawsuits alleging platforms contributed to addiction, harmful content exposure, and risks to minors.
Instagram chief Adam Mosseri testified earlier this week that he disagrees with characterizing social media platforms as clinically addictive. "I'm not a scientist, but I don't believe the latest science suggests that social media platforms are addictive," Mosseri said during his own deposition.
Meta attorneys maintain the company discloses risks and works to remove harmful content while acknowledging some inappropriate material still bypasses safety systems. The civil trial entered its fourth week with Zuckerberg's testimony following Mosseri's appearance Tuesday.
Zuckerberg previously testified before Congress in 2024 about youth safety on Meta platforms, apologizing to families affected by social media tragedies while stopping short of accepting direct responsibility.
