Mark Zuckerberg downplays Meta's own research in New Mexico child safety trial

"Contributors on Facebook are likely to learn to associate the act of posting with feedback which will lead contributors to seek rewards by visiting the site more often. Zuckerberg responded that he wasn't sure if that's actually how it works in practice, but agreed the researchers appeared to be saying that."

"A chart indicated that at the time, around 20 percent of 11-year-olds were monthly users of Instagram. Zuckerberg stated he agreed the graph showed that data but was not familiar with the methodology used to estimate it, and assumed Meta would remove anyone directly identified as under 13."

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg provided pre-recorded testimony in a New Mexico child safety lawsuit against the company. During the deposition, Zuckerberg was questioned about internal Meta research documenting how the company's apps create addictive patterns and attract underage users. When presented with a document explaining how Facebook users learn to associate posting with feedback rewards, Zuckerberg expressed uncertainty about its practical application. Similarly, when shown data indicating approximately 20 percent of 11-year-olds were monthly Instagram users, Zuckerberg claimed unfamiliarity with the methodology. New Mexico's attorney general filed the 2023 lawsuit alleging Meta failed child safety protections, facilitated predator access to minors, and deliberately built addictive features.

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