Instagram head Adam Mosseri begins testimony at Meta child social media addiction trial

Instagram's CEO, Adam Mosseri, began his testimony in a lawsuit filed by 29 US states, alleging that Meta Platforms designed its social media platforms to addict children. Mosseri testified that before the "Take a Break" feature was made the default setting for teenagers in September 2024, only a small percentage of teens used it.

The feature prompts users to close the app after a certain period of time. Mosseri acknowledged that the feature was not widely adopted, stating that few teenagers utilized it before it was made the default. The lawsuit accuses Meta of designing the platforms to hook young users, leading to anxiety, depression, and even suicide.

Four states - California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey - specifically accused Meta of addicting children and misleading consumers about the safety of its platforms. The trial, which is expected to continue, could determine the liability of Meta and potential civil penalties.