Instagram denied claims that its platform causes clinical addiction in a landmark US trial.
Instagram chief Adam Mosseri said excessive use should be called “problematic use,” not addiction.
The lawsuit was filed by a former teen user alleging mental harm from Instagram use.
Meta rejected claims that teen engagement is driven by profit.
The case could influence future lawsuits on social media and youth mental health.
Allegations that Meta’s Instagram causes clinical addiction were firmly denied by the company as a landmark civil trial in Los Angeles brought renewed scrutiny to the impact of social media on young users.
Addiction remains the core concern driving public debate, with social media frequently portrayed as a potentially addictive force for younger generations. Meta, however, has consistently rejected claims that Instagram use meets the medical definition of addiction.
During testimony in the long awaited trial, Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, stated under oath that social media platforms do not cause clinical addiction. He acknowledged that some users may experience unhealthy engagement patterns but repeatedly described this as “problematic use” rather than addiction.
Mosseri told the court that he is not a clinician and does not diagnose medical conditions, emphasising that Meta relies on external scientific research when developing safety policies.
The case centres on a 20 year old woman who alleges that excessive Instagram use during her teenage years caused significant mental and emotional harm. Her lawsuit is one of hundreds filed across the United States accusing Meta of knowingly harming young users while prioritising engagement metrics.
Legal experts note that the outcome of this case could influence how similar lawsuits proceed nationwide.
Plaintiff attorneys argued that engagement driven features on Instagram exploit neurological reward pathways, citing the role of dopamine in reinforcing repetitive behaviour. They claimed that frequent notifications, algorithm curated feeds, and endless scrolling mechanics encourage compulsive usage, particularly among adolescents.
Meta rejected this framing, stating that dopamine responses are not unique to social media and occur during many routine activities, including exercise, entertainment, and social interaction.
During court proceedings, attorneys for the plaintiff alleged that Instagram’s design intentionally promotes prolonged usage. They argued that algorithm driven recommendations prioritise emotionally stimulating content to keep users engaged for longer periods.
Mosseri countered that engagement does not equal addiction and said usage patterns vary significantly across individuals, age groups, and contexts.
The trial also examined broader concerns related to adolescent mental health, including the effects of appearance altering filters on body image and the exposure of minors to age inappropriate content.
Mosseri testified that Meta recognises these risks and has taken steps to mitigate harm, particularly for teenage users.
Mosseri was questioned by plaintiff attorney Mark Lanier, who accused Meta of deliberately engineering addictive experiences to maximise profits from younger users.
Responding to questioning from Phyllis Jones, Mosseri stated that teenagers generate less advertising revenue than any other demographic. He said teens rarely click on ads and generally have limited disposable income.
He also told the court that prioritising profit over user wellbeing would undermine trust and harm Meta’s long term business interests.
Meta highlighted several measures it claims to have introduced in recent years to improve youth safety. These include default private accounts for users under 16, limits on targeted advertising, time management tools, and hidden words features designed to reduce harassment.
Mosseri stated that protecting minors aligns with both ethical responsibility and long term business sustainability.
Legal analysts view the Los Angeles case as a potential benchmark for future litigation involving social media companies and youth mental health. While the trial does not seek to classify social media addiction as a medical diagnosis, it could influence how courts assess corporate responsibility and platform design.
Further legal action is expected in New Mexico, where Meta faces additional accusations from state authorities alleging that its platforms use predatory design features that disproportionately harm children and adolescents.
Taken together, these cases represent one of the most significant legal challenges faced by social media companies regarding youth safety, mental health, and platform accountability.
(Rh/PK/MSM)
