Instagram Chief to Testify in Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial
Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri is set to testify in a pivotal Los Angeles trial focusing on social media addiction, where he will face intense questioning from plaintiff attorneys about how the platform balances user safety with engagement metrics. This trial, which commenced on Monday, centers on a 20-year-old woman who attributes years of mental health struggles to her use of Meta Platforms Inc.'s Instagram and Google's YouTube.
Internal Messages Describe Instagram as a 'Drug'
During opening statements, lawyers revealed internal company communications in which a Meta researcher referred to Instagram as a 'drug.' In the message chain, the researcher stated, 'IG is a drug,' with a colleague responding, 'LOL, I mean, all social media. We're basically pushers.' Further messages indicated that concerns were raised to 'Adam' about the platform's impact on users' internal 'reward tolerance,' with one employee noting, 'He freaked out when I talked about dopamine in my teen fundamentals lead review, but it is undeniable. It is biological. It is psychological.'
Teen Usage and Platform Features Under Scrutiny
The plaintiff's lawyer, Mark Lanier, told jurors that the woman would spend hours daily scrolling on Instagram, with her highest recorded usage reaching 16.2 hours on a single day in March 2022. Lanier described her as feeling 'trapped' on the platform. This case highlights the role of features like the 'infinite scroll,' popularized under Mosseri's leadership of Facebook News Feed, which surfaces an unlimited supply of posts. Additionally, Instagram introduced 'teen accounts' in late 2024 to limit interactions and content visibility for younger users, though the platform has faced criticism, including the scrapped 'Instagram Youth' plan in 2021 after backlash from politicians and parenting groups.
Broader Implications for Social Media Companies
This trial serves as a critical test for thousands of lawsuits targeting major social media companies, including Meta, Google, TikTok Inc., and Snap Inc. While TikTok and Snap are not participating in this case due to confidential settlements, the outcome could influence billions of dollars in potential damages. Mosseri, who has led Instagram since 2018 and has been a key figure at Meta for over a decade, has long argued that social media can positively impact teens seeking online community. However, the trial's focus on addiction and mental health raises significant questions about corporate responsibility and platform design.
The proceedings are expected to delve into how Instagram's algorithms and features may contribute to addictive behaviors, with Mosseri's testimony poised to shape future regulatory and legal actions in the tech industry. As the case unfolds, it underscores the ongoing debate over the ethical obligations of social media giants in safeguarding user well-being, particularly among vulnerable youth populations.
