A former Meta engineering director has testified that Mark Zuckerberg encouraged a company culture that prioritized growth and engagement over child safety, as Meta faces a major U.S. trial over alleged harms to young users.
Arturo Bejar, a former Meta employee and longtime critic of the company’s safety practices, told jurors that major product decisions were highly centralized and that changes moved quickly only when Zuckerberg personally made them a priority.
The lawsuit, brought by California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey, accuses Meta of designing Facebook and Instagram in ways that could encourage excessive use among young people while failing to adequately protect them from harassment, mental-health risks and other harms. Another 25 states have also accused Meta of improperly collecting data from children under 13.
Bejar said Meta had internal tools capable of identifying large numbers of suspected underage users but argued the company did not act aggressively enough because stronger enforcement could reduce engagement.
He also criticized features such as usage-break reminders, saying they were ineffective because they were optional and easy to dismiss.
Meta has denied allegations that it intentionally harmed young users and has pointed to extensive investments in safety systems and parental controls.
The six-week trial is being closely watched because it could result in substantial financial penalties and potentially force changes to how Facebook and Instagram operate for younger users.