Instagram Chief Rejects 'Clinical Addiction' Claim in LA Jury Trial Targeting Meta and YouTube

Overview

• Testifying before a 12-person jury in Los Angeles, Adam Mosseri said social networks do not cause clinical addiction and argued for a distinction between clinical dependence and problematic use.
• Plaintiffs introduced internal documents and emails, highlighting infinite scroll and a 2020 decision to allow face-altering filters as evidence the companies knew design choices could keep young users engaged longer.
• The 20-year-old plaintiff, identified as Kaley G. M., alleges severe mental-health harm after heavy use starting in childhood, while Meta’s counsel suggested family issues contributed to her condition.
• TikTok and Snapchat reached confidential settlements before trial, leaving Meta and Alphabet’s YouTube as the remaining defendants.
• Mark Zuckerberg is scheduled to testify on February 18 and YouTube chief Neil Mohan on February 19, with the plaintiff expected to take the stand in the coming weeks as the trial continues into March.