Monday, February 23, 2026-Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has revealed under oath that he once reached out to Apple CEO Tim Cook to discuss concerns over the safety and well‑being of young users on social media.
The disclosure came during his testimony in a high‑profile trial in Los Angeles Superior Court, where Meta and other tech platforms face allegations that their apps were designed in ways that harm children and teens. Zuckerberg said he contacted Cook back in 2018 to explore potential ways both companies could improve protections for children and teenagers online, presenting emails to the court as part of his defense strategy.
The trial itself centers on a lawsuit brought by a young woman who alleges that her heavy use of social media from a young age contributed to long‑term mental health issues. Plaintiffs and their legal teams are pushing the case as a bellwether for thousands of similar lawsuits nationwide, arguing that platforms like Instagram, owned by Meta, deliberately cultivated addictive features.
Zuckerberg’s reference to discussions with Apple’s CEO is part of an effort to show that he and his company have taken youth safety seriously and even sought dialogue with other industry leaders.
Zuckerberg’s testimony goes beyond the Cook contact, as he has also been grilled on Meta’s policies around age verification, content moderation, and feature design. He acknowledged challenges in enforcing age limits and defended the company’s approach to safety and expression, even as critics and children’s advocacy groups characterize parts of his testimony as insufficient.
The outcome of the trial could have far‑reaching implications for how social media platforms are regulated and held accountable for youth well‑being in the years ahead.
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