📈 Meta Youth Trial Update: Zuckerberg Testifies Amid Global Backlash

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in a Los Angeles court regarding allegations that Instagram and Facebook target children and harm mental health. This landmark case tests the liability of tech giants for platform design. • Overall Legal Dispute: A California woman alleges Meta and Google's YouTube fueled her depression and suicidal thoughts. Internal documents revealed Instagram aimed to "win big with teens" by attracting them as "tweens," despite public claims that users under 13 are prohibited. • Platform Metrics & Revenue: • Teens on Instagram contribute less than 1% of total revenue. • Internal 2026 milestones projected daily user time to increase to 46 minutes (up from 40 in 2023). • Zuckerberg attributed the responsibility of age verification to mobile device makers rather than app developers. • Local Economic Context: In Sri Lanka, the ICT/BPM sector is a key growth driver, with services exports reaching US$ 3.57 Bn in 2024. As the island nation implements the Online Safety Act, global litigation outcomes could influence local digital marketing standards and platform accountability for the 9.00 million active social media users in the country. • Global Context: Australia and Florida have already enacted bans for users under 16 and 14, respectively. This trial’s verdict may erode long-standing legal protections that shield tech companies from liability regarding user-generated content and platform design. _Note: Based on ongoing trial proceedings and provisional data._