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Posted On: 2/18/2026, 5:08:19 PM
Last Update: 2/18/2026, 5:08:19 PM
Adam Mosseri, CEO of Instagram, defended the platform in a California trial, stating that critics should differentiate between 'clinical addiction' and 'problematic use' of social media.
Plus, he noted that while psychologists do not officially recognise social media addiction, research shows its harmful effects on youth, raising concerns among global lawmakers regarding its addictive nature.
Mosseri is the first executive to testify in trials where families and school districts are suing Meta, Snap, TikTok, and YouTube for allegedly creating addictive products that harm young people's mental health.
Notably, the trial in Los Angeles centres on a 20-year-old, KGM, who claims that the addictive design features of a social media platform, such as endless scrolling, worsened her depression and suicidal thoughts. KGM, along with two other plaintiffs, participates in bellwether trials to evaluate jury reactions for both parties.
Mark Lanier, the plaintiff's attorney, questioned Mosseri about Instagram prioritising profits over safety and the impact of cosmetic filters on promoting plastic surgery.
Mosseri responded that the company tests new features for younger users prior to their release, noting their commitment to safety while minimising censorship.
Some families believe that the recent testimony regarding Instagram confirms their views on the platform's harm. Attorney Matthew P. Bergman stated that Instagram executives prioritised growth over the safety of minors, as revealed in Adam Mosseri's under-oath testimony.
Previous scrutiny surrounds Mosseri regarding alleged dismissal of internal warnings about the platform's addictive design. Internal conversations among Meta researchers highlighted this issue, with one employee comparing Instagram to a drug and others referring to social media as akin to peddling substances.
Besides, one individual noted Adam's resistance to discussing the topic, particularly when dopamine was mentioned in relation to his teen fundamentals lead review, emphasising its biological and psychological aspects.
Some parents, including John DeMay, whose son Jordan died by suicide at 17 in 2022 after being targeted in an online sextortion scam, were in court alleging harm caused by social media's addictive designs.
Jordan was blackmailed by two Nigerian brothers using a hacked Instagram account, demanding $1,000 after he sent them nude photos.
DeMay anticipated that Mosseri would primarily attempt to save face during his upcoming testimony. He regarded the public nature of this testimony and the internal documents as a victory, stressing that Mosseri would need to justify the creation of addictive products, especially in light of the harmful consequences for children.
Mark Lanier, representing the victims, referenced internal Meta and Google documents during the trial's opening arguments, claiming that the companies targeted children as young as four and described social media apps as "digital casinos" due to features like endless scrolling.
Further, YouTube's legal team refuted claims of being classified as social media and denied user addiction, while Meta's lawyers contested social media addiction research, attributing KGM's mental health issues to familial abuse instead of social media use.
Instagram has implemented safety features for young users, but a 2025 review by Fairplay revealed that fewer than one in five are fully functional, with 64% being either largely ineffective or no longer available.
The plaintiffs allege that social media companies have intentionally created addictive products, circumventing federal law that usually protects these platforms from lawsuits related to harmful third-party content.
DeMay expressed his belief in the courts' potential to effect policy changes regarding child safety, contrasting this with his experience observing big tech executives testify before Congress in January 2024.
Eventually, he stated Efforts to achieve legislative change are challenging, leaving many, including parents, feeling hopeless. Financial accountability may drive companies to make necessary changes if faced with substantial lawsuits from victims for their harmful practices.
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