On Instagram 16 hours a day? CEO says it’s problematic, not an addiction
Instagram’s CEO has called 16 hours of daily use “problematic” but it’s not an addiction, as a high-level trial into the impact of social media on minors gets underway in Los Angeles.
Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri appeared in Los Angeles court this week to defend his platform against claims that it has harmed the mental health of young users. The trial, which could last up to six weeks, is being watched closely across the US because it could set a precedent for holding social media companies accountable for their influence on minors. Mosseri, who has led Instagram for eight years, faced intense questioning over the app’s role in the struggles of the lead plaintiff, a young woman named KGM.
During the proceedings, Mosseri was asked by KGM about the longest usage of Instagram in a day – 16 hours. He called it “problematic use”, but stopped short of calling it an addiction. “It is important to distinguish between clinical addiction and problematic use,” he said, explaining that some people can spend long periods of time online and still feel good, comparing it to watching TV shows late at night. Mosseri’s point suggests a debate at the center of the lawsuit — when does social media use cross the line from heavy engagement to actual harm?
Instagram addiction: A court caught between technology and responsibility
The trial revealed a deep tension between the growth of social media and user security. Mosseri admitted that he was not aware that KGM had made more than 300 reports of bullying on the platform. He also faced questions about Meta’s past discussions on image-altering filters, which some executives feared could have a negative impact on the self-image of young users. While he said the company had banned filters that went beyond makeup effects, he later acknowledged that the ban had been “revised.”
Outside the court, the debate spilled over into the streets. Parents, protesters and spectators gathered to express concern over the role of social media in children’s lives. They included Mariano Genin, who lost his 14-year-old daughter Mia to suicide in 2021. Holding a photograph of him he said that he had come from London to watch the trial. “If they changed their business model it would be different. They should be protecting children. They have the technology; they have the money,” he said, his voice laced with pain.
Meta’s lawyers argued that KGM faced challenges in her life beyond Instagram, and that her mental health struggles were not solely caused by the platform. YouTube is also named in the case, while Snapchat and TikTok have settled similar claims out of court. As the trial continues, top executives including Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and YouTube’s Neil Mohan are expected to testify, clearly shining a light on the tech industry’s responsibility toward young users.