California, USA – Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri on Wednesday rejected the notion that users could be clinically addicted to social media, as he testified in a landmark trial that could reshape the legal landscape for tech giants accused of knowingly hooking children on their platforms for profit.
The case, brought against Meta (parent company of Instagram and Facebook) and Google-owned YouTube, centers on allegations that social media platforms deliberately engineered addictive features that harmed young users.
Mosseri’s Testimony
Under questioning by plaintiff attorney Mark Lanier, Mosseri distinguished between “clinical addiction” and “problematic use.”
“I think it’s important to differentiate between clinical addiction and problematic use,” Mosseri said. “I’m sure I said that I’ve been addicted to a Netflix show when I binged it really late one night, but I don’t think it’s the same thing as clinical addiction.”
Lanier challenged Mosseri’s credibility, noting he lacked medical or psychological expertise. Mosseri conceded he had used the term “too casually.”
Emotional Courtroom Scene
Mothers of teenagers who had taken their own lives sat in the public gallery, visibly holding back anger. Many had camped outside the courthouse in the rain to secure seats, underscoring the emotional weight of the proceedings.
The trial focuses on the case of Kaley G.M., a 20-year-old woman who claims she suffered severe mental harm after becoming addicted to social media as a child. She began using YouTube at age six, joined Instagram at 11, and later moved to Snapchat and TikTok.
Apps or Traps?
Plaintiffs argue that platforms function as dopamine-driven “slot machines” for vulnerable young people. Lanier told the jury:
“Meta and Google don’t only build apps; they build traps.”
Mosseri countered that Instagram has introduced safety features since Meta acquired it in 2012, even at the expense of engagement and revenue. He insisted that protecting minors is not only ethical but also beneficial for long-term business.
Broader Litigation
The trial is considered a bellwether case, with more than 1,000 lawsuits pending against social media companies. Plaintiffs allege platforms caused depression, eating disorders, psychiatric hospitalizations, and suicides among young users.
Meta’s attorneys argued that Kaley’s suffering stemmed from family issues rather than Instagram use. YouTube’s counsel claimed the platform is more akin to Netflix than social media, denying intentional addictiveness.
What’s Next
Mosseri’s testimony is the first by a major Silicon Valley executive in the trial. His boss, Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, is scheduled to testify on February 18, followed by YouTube CEO Neil Mohan the next day.
The outcome could set a precedent for how courts define addiction in the digital age and determine whether tech giants can be held liable for the mental health impact of their platforms.
