Blackburn Statement on Zuckerberg Testimony in Landmark Social Media Trial
February 18, 2026
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified before a jury for the first time in the landmark social media trial unfolding in Los Angeles. The plaintiffs have alleged that social media platforms are designed to harm and addict young users. Senator Blackburn’s Kids Online Safety Act, which now has 75 Senate co-sponsors, would require Big Tech companies to make platforms safe by design for minors by enacting a “duty of care.”
“To no one’s surprise, Mark Zuckerberg followed his usual playbook of denial and deceit while sitting just a few steps away from parents who have tragically lost their children as a consequence of the way his platforms are designed to harm young users,” said Senator Blackburn. “86% of Americans want Big Tech companies to be held accountable for their role in the social media addiction crisis. These companies are using the same playbook as Big Tobacco did decades ago by trying to keep kids hooked on products that hurt them. It’s time for legislators to stop ignoring the will of the American people and ensure social media platforms are safer by design for our children and grandchildren.”
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