Meta Executives to Testify in Case Targeting Instagram’s Design Practices

Adam Mosseri, who leads Instagram, will testify in a case centered on claims of what plaintiffs describe as “social media addiction” affecting children and young adults. Per Reuters, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is also expected to take the stand in the coming weeks as the proceedings continue.

The lawsuit was brought by a 20-year-old California woman who alleges she became dependent on Instagram at a young age due to features designed to capture and hold users’ attention, according to Reuters and court filings. The case is being closely watched, as its outcome could shape how social media companies handle hundreds of similar lawsuits filed across the United States.

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In a statement issued ahead of Mosseri’s testimony, a Meta spokesperson said, “We strongly disagree with these allegations and are confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.”

According to Reuters, the plaintiff said in a deposition that Instagram’s “endless” scroll feature kept her engaged on the app for extended periods and contributed to feelings of anxiety. The endless scroll function allows content to load continuously as a user moves down the page, eliminating natural stopping points. In January, the American Academy of Pediatrics said the feature may make it harder for children to “disengage from digital devices,” per Reuters.

Related: EU Forces Meta to Give Users Ad Personalization Options

Mosseri is expected to face questions about internal company documents during his testimony. Attorneys for the plaintiff contend that company records demonstrate Meta was aware of potential harms to younger users, according to Reuters. They have cited a recent internal study that they say found teenagers experiencing other personal challenges were more susceptible to addictive patterns and that parental controls were insufficient.

Meta’s legal team has countered that internal discussions were aimed at identifying concerns and developing tools to give users, including parents and teens, greater control over their online experience, per Reuters.

The case unfolds amid broader international debate over children’s access to social media. According to Reuters, Australia in December became the first country to ban social media use for children under 16. Other nations, including Spain, Greece, Britain and France, are weighing similar measures as policymakers grapple with concerns about the impact of digital platforms on youth well-being.

Source: Reuters