In a landmark trial regarding social media addiction among underage users, Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg denied allegations that Instagram targets children under 13, disregarding evidence that suggests they make up a significant demographic.

The social media addiction lawsuit case involves a California woman who claims Instagram and YouTube harmed her mental health as a child, alleging that the platforms make profits by engaging young users.

Evidence of targeting young users

Zuckerberg faced fierce questioning from attorney Mark Lanier, who highlighted internal Meta documents indicating a strategy to attract younger users. One document stated, “If we want to win big with teens, we must bring them in as tweens.”

Lanier challenged Zuckerberg’s previous assertions before Congress, wherein he claimed that users under 13 are not allowed on the platform. The Meta boss in response maintained that Meta discussed creating a version of Instagram for children but did not proceed with it.

While examining Meta’s past strategies, Lanier presented emails revealing Zuckerberg’s goals to increase user engagement on Instagram. While he acknowledged that previous objectives were devised to boost time spent on the app, he insisted that the company has shifted its focus.

The lawsuit stands as a critical test case for similar claims against Meta and other tech giants, as families and organisations are increasingly choosing to hold them accountable for the platforms’ impact on youth mental health.

Should the petition bring in a ruling against Meta, it would challenge the long-standing legal protections to tech companies from liability for user harm.

Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka by six wickets to move to the top of the Group B points table, powered by standout performances from Brian Bennett and captain Sikandar Raza at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Chasing a challenging target of 179, Zimbabwe reached the total with four wickets down in the final over after a commanding start.

Openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani piled on the runs from the outset, stitching together a brisk 69-run partnership for the first wicket.

Sri Lanka found the breakthrough in the ninth over when Dunith Wellalage dismissed Marumani, who scored 34 off 26 deliveries, including five fours and a six.

Ryan Burl then walked in and played a quick cameo to ease the pressure, smashing 23 off 12 balls with two fours and a six before being removed by skipper Dasun Shanaka.

Captain Sikandar Raza joined Bennett at the crease and kept the scoreboard ticking with aggressive stroke play, including back-to-back sixes, reducing the equation to 45 runs needed from the final five overs.

The duo added a fiery 50-run stand to put Zimbabwe in a dominant position, with Bennett bringing up his half-century in style.

However, Dushan Hemantha broke the crucial partnership in the 19th over, dismissing Raza after a blistering 45 off 26 balls, studded with two fours and four sixes, leaving Zimbabwe at 167-3 in 18.2 overs.

Hemantha struck again in the same over to remove Tashinga Musekiwa for one, giving Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope.

Needing eight runs in the final over, Tony Munyonga sealed the contest with a towering six before handing the strike back to Bennett, who finished unbeaten on 63 off 48 deliveries, including eight fours.

Munyonga remained unbeaten on eight off three balls as Zimbabwe completed a memorable six-wicket victory.

Batting first, Sri Lanka got off to a fiery start as openers Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka piled on runs with aggressive stroke play, putting early pressure on Zimbabwe’s bowling attack and forging a 54-run partnership for the opening wicket.

However, Perera, who looked set, was dismissed by Blessing Muzarabani after scoring 22 off 14 deliveries, including four boundaries, bringing an end to the opening stand in the fifth over.

Nissanka remained in sublime touch, accumulating runs steadily to register his 19th T20I half-century and propel the team total past the 100-run mark in the 12th over.

Kusal Mendis, batting alongside Nissanka, struggled to rotate the strike and was eventually stumped by Ryan Burl after scoring 14 off 20 deliveries, leaving Sri Lanka at 100-2 in 12.2 overs.

Zimbabwe clawed back into the contest with the prized wicket of Nissanka, who played a vital knock of 62 off 41 deliveries, laced with eight fours, before being dismissed by Graeme Cremer.

Cremer struck again in his next over, removing Kamindu Mendis for seven off five balls, including one four, as Sri Lanka slipped to 123-4 in 15.2 overs.

The hosts continued to lose wickets as Muzarabani picked up his second, dismissing skipper Dasun Shanaka for six off seven deliveries.

Pavan Rathnayake provided late impetus with a brisk 44 off 25 deliveries, featuring three fours and two sixes, but his promising innings was cut short by Brad Evans.

Evans struck again in the same over to remove Dushan Hemantha for a first-ball duck, reducing Sri Lanka to 164-7 in 19 overs.

The innings concluded with Dunith Wellalage unbeaten on 15 off eight deliveries, hitting three fours, while Maheesh Theekshana did not face a ball.

For the Chevrons, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, and Graeme Cremer claimed two wickets apiece, while Ryan Burl chipped in with one.

John Travolta generated buzz on social media when he stunned his fans with the surprise announcement on his 72nd birthday.

JT, while accepting birthday wishes, thanked his fans while revealing that he earned a private jet license on his birthday.

The Grease actor shared the birthday post on his Instagram on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

Travolta wrote, It’s my birthday today!” he exclaimed.

“And I’m very proud to say I got my license in the Global Express—thank you for all my birthday wishes!”

In the separate video post, John offered his community of 5.6 million followers a sneak peek into the aircraft and shared a video of it taking off from the runway.

He captioned it, “I’ve just accomplished my license in the Global Express SIC (second in command),” the Pulp Fiction star explained while sitting in the cockpit.

“Congratulations to me.”

What made Travolta’s fans more excited was the instant reaction of JT’s daughter.

In a cute, heartwarming moment, she responded to the post. Ella Bleu, 25, jumped in the comments section.

She wrote, “Happy Birthday!!! I love you!!!”