Instagram head Adam Mosseri testified Tuesday in a Los Angeles federal court regarding allegations that Meta designed its platforms to addict children [1, 2].
The trial represents a significant legal challenge to Meta's business model. It examines whether the company intentionally engineered Instagram and Facebook to hook young users while failing to disclose the potential risks to their mental health [1, 3].
During the proceedings on Aug. 25, 2026, Mosseri faced questions about the impact of the company's design choices on teenagers [2]. The lawsuit alleges that Meta neglected child safety in favor of engagement metrics. Mosseri said, "Most teens didn't want it" [4].
The legal action is brought by several U.S. states. Reports on the exact number of participating states vary, with some sources citing four states [2] and others citing 29 states [4]. The plaintiffs argue that Meta's platforms create a cycle of addiction that is particularly harmful to developing brains.
Meta has previously denied that its platforms are designed to be addictive. The company has pointed to the introduction of various parental supervision tools, and time-limit features, as evidence of its commitment to safety [2, 3]. However, the prosecution intends to show that these measures were insufficient or implemented too late to prevent widespread harm.
This federal trial is one of several legal battles Meta is fighting over its impact on minors. The outcome could lead to mandated changes in how social media algorithms operate for users under 18, or result in significant financial penalties [1, 3].
“"Most teens didn't want it."”
This trial marks a shift from general public criticism of social media to specific legal accountability for 'persuasive design.' If the court finds that Meta intentionally designed its products to be addictive to minors, it could set a legal precedent that reclassifies social media algorithms as defective products, potentially opening the door for thousands of similar lawsuits across the tech industry.
