Zuckerberg Says Under-18 Users Generate Just 1% of Revenue, Outlines New Safety Measures
Mark Zuckerberg testified in Los Angeles Superior Court that users under 18 drive just 1% of Meta’s revenue and described enforcing age limits as a difficult challenge. He outlined proactive tools and features—such as date-of-birth requirements, teen-specific accounts, PG-13 default settings and streaming limits—introduced to detect and protect under-13 users.
1. Trial Background and Testimony
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg began testifying on Feb. 9 in Los Angeles Superior Court in a lawsuit by a 20-year-old plaintiff alleging Instagram contributed to mental health struggles. He spent roughly six hours on the witness stand addressing questions on age misrepresentation and platform design choices.
2. Revenue Impact Emphasized
Zuckerberg emphasized that users under 18 contribute approximately 1% of total revenue, framing youth engagement as financially marginal. He noted that almost all revenue comes from advertising and argued that teens represent a limited financial exposure.
3. Age Verification and Safety Tools
Meta has required date-of-birth entry for new accounts and launched teen-specific accounts in late 2024 with PG-13 default settings, content restrictions and live-stream limits. The company also deployed proactive detection tools to identify and remove under-13 accounts misrepresenting their age.
4. Legal and Industry Implications
A ruling against Meta could set a precedent for thousands of similar lawsuits targeting major social platforms and expose the company to billions in damages. Zuckerberg suggested that shifting age verification responsibility to device manufacturers could offer a more reliable compliance solution.