Mark Zuckerberg says he contacted Tim Cook to discuss teen safety amid landmark social media trial

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified Wednesday that he reached out to Apple CEO Tim Cook in 2018 to explore potential collaboration focused on the “wellbeing of teens and kids.”

During proceedings at the Los Angeles Superior Court, defense attorneys presented an email exchange between the two executives from February 2018. Zuckerberg told the court he believed there were opportunities for Meta and Apple to work together to improve safety for young users.

“I care about the wellbeing of teens and kids who are using our services,” Zuckerberg said, as defense lawyers sought to demonstrate that he took proactive steps to address youth safety including engaging a corporate rival.

The testimony is part of a closely watched trial that some experts have compared to the tech industry’s “Big Tobacco” moment. The case centers on allegations that social media platforms contributed to mental health harms, particularly among young users.

A key focus of the trial has been Instagram’s use of digital beauty filters. Zuckerberg acknowledged internal debates over whether such features — especially cosmetic surgery filters could negatively affect teenage girls. While experts raised concerns, Zuckerberg said the company ultimately weighed the issue against principles of free expression.

“I genuinely want to err on the side of giving people the ability to express themselves,” he testified.

Lawyers cited a study from the University of Chicago in which 18 experts concluded that beauty filters can harm teenage girls. Zuckerberg responded that while he takes such feedback seriously, he did not believe there was sufficient causal evidence to justify a permanent ban. He added that internal disagreement at Meta is encouraged and common.

The lawsuit stems from claims by a young woman who alleged she became addicted to platforms including Instagram and YouTube. Plaintiffs argue that companies such as Meta, YouTube, TikTok and Snap misled the public about the safety of their products.

Zuckerberg pushed back on suggestions that Meta’s goal was to maximize time spent on Instagram. While internal documents referenced engagement milestones, he said these were benchmarks used to measure competitiveness, not directives to encourage excessive usage.

The court also examined issues related to underage users. Instagram requires users to be at least 13 years old, but documents presented in court suggested millions of underage children may have accessed the platform. Zuckerberg noted that some users misrepresent their age and said Meta removes accounts identified as underage.

At several points, Zuckerberg suggested that stronger age verification may be better handled by companies operating mobile systems and app stores, such as Apple and Google.

The trial, which began in late January, is one of several high-profile cases this year examining the social media industry’s impact on young people. Meta has denied the allegations, maintaining that the jury must determine whether Instagram was a substantial factor in the plaintiff’s mental health struggles.