In a major legal showdown in the United States, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri strongly rejected claims that children can be clinically addicted to social media platforms. He appeared before a California jury as part of a high-profile case that could reshape how tech companies are held responsible for young users’ mental health.
Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, is facing the lawsuit alongside YouTube, with both companies accused of designing features that encourage excessive and harmful usage among children. However, Mosseri argued that the discussion often confuses medical addiction with everyday habits that simply become difficult to control over time.
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During his testimony, Mosseri explained that even he had felt “addicted” to watching television shows, but said such experiences do not meet the definition of clinical addiction. Therefore, he stressed the importance of using scientific terms carefully, especially when they are linked to serious legal and social consequences.
Meanwhile, the case centers on a young woman who reportedly suffered long-term mental harm after using social media from a very early age. She joined YouTube at six, opened Instagram at eleven, and later expanded to other platforms, which her lawyers claim worsened her emotional well-being.
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Furthermore, Mosseri denied accusations that Meta operates under a mindset that prioritizes growth over safety, often described as “move fast and break things.” Instead, he stated that the company invests heavily in protective tools, while critics argue these efforts remain insufficient for vulnerable users.
As the trial continues, attention is now shifting toward upcoming testimonies from other tech leaders, including Mark Zuckerberg and YouTube’s chief executive. Ultimately, the verdict could influence global policies on how social media platforms design systems for younger audiences.