Meta Faces Court Over Social Media Addiction

Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, appeared in court as Meta faces a lawsuit about social media addiction in Oakland, California. The trial began as states including California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey sued Meta. They claim Instagram and Facebook were designed to keep kids hooked while collecting their data.

Mosseri discussed a feature introduced in 2021 called ‘Take a Break,’ designed to help teens manage their time on the app. He admitted its uptake was lower than expected. During the trial, attorneys for Meta denied accusations, stating the company was aware of the risks and worked to address them.

Under questioning, Mosseri explained ‘Take a Break’ prompts teens to pause after extended use. An internal document revealed only 1.8% of teens used this feature. Mosseri commented that while it helped, it did not meet their expectations. In late 2024, Meta made it the default for all teen accounts, but states argue the change came too late, after they filed the lawsuit in 2023.

Prosecutors contend Meta withheld information on the feature’s ineffectiveness from users, violating consumer protection laws. Mosseri acknowledged that only a small percentage of teens used the feature, which was not disclosed to parents. He highlighted other features like ‘Quiet Mode’ created to address overuse.

This trial arises amid concerns over social media’s impact on teen mental health. Mosseri, who has led Instagram since 2018, acknowledged no single solution exists for these issues. Meta claims to have implemented multiple measures to address the challenges.

As the trial continues, Mosseri is expected to testify further. The potential penalties could reach $1.4 trillion, equivalent to Meta’s total market value. Comparisons have been made to 1990s tobacco litigation, suggesting the verdict could significantly impact Meta.