Instagram Chief Rejects Addiction Claims in High-Stakes Trial
Instagram Chief Rejects Addiction Claims in High-Stakes Trial
Adam Mosseri, Instagram's head, testified in a landmark Los Angeles trial that social media cannot be deemed "clinically addictive," distinguishing it from casual overuse like binge-watching Netflix late at night. This testimony came amid lawsuits alleging Meta and YouTube designed addictive features for kids, targeting youth engagement for ad revenue through tools like auto-scrolling.[1][2]
Differentiating Problematic Use from Clinical Addiction
Mosseri acknowledged "problematic use" as real, where users spend excessive time on the app, but rejected clinical addiction labels. He highlighted tradeoffs between safety and free expression, noting inconsistent safety testing for new features and resistance to banning beauty filters linked to body dysmorphia and eating disorders in teen girls.[1][3]
Implications for Social Media and Youth Mental Health
The case, involving a plaintiff claiming anxiety and depression from early app use, could reshape tech accountability. Defendants blame personal issues over platforms, while research ties filters to surging suicide rates and disorders among young women, pressuring Instagram to prioritize teen safety despite lower profits from that group.[2][3]
About the People Mentioned
Adam Mosseri
Adam Mosseri, born January 23, 1983, in New York City to an Egyptian-Israeli Jewish father and Catholic mother, is an American businessman and the head of Instagram.[1][3][4] He effectively serves as Instagram's CEO, though Meta reserves that title for founders, overseeing all business functions including product, engineering, and growth.[1][2][3] Mosseri launched his career with a design consultancy, Blank Mosseri, while at NYU's Gallatin School, focusing on graphic and interaction design, followed by a role as the first designer at TokBox in 2007.[3][5] He joined Facebook in 2008 as a product designer, advancing to product design manager in 2009 and design director for mobile apps in 2012.[2][3][4] From 2012 to 2016, he led the News Feed, transforming it into a core feature and key revenue driver through advertising.[1][2][5] As vice president of product from 2016 to 2018, he managed initiatives like the unsuccessful Facebook Home launcher and publicly addressed fake news post-2016 election and the Cambridge Analytica scandal.[2][3][5] In May 2018, Mosseri became Instagram's VP of Product, and on October 1, 2018, he assumed leadership after co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger resigned amid tensions with Mark Zuckerberg.[1][3][5] A 16-year Meta veteran and Zuckerberg confidant, he has guided Instagram's "third phase" since, introducing changes like Reels to compete with TikTok, navigating scandals, the pandemic, and cultural shifts.[1][6] Currently based in California after relocating from London in 2023 due to Meta layoffs, Mosseri remains actively involved in philanthropy with his wife, Monica.[2] As of 2024, he continues leading Instagram and Threads, recently addressing moderation issues.[6][7] His tenure emphasizes balancing user needs with Meta's priorities.[5]
About the Organizations Mentioned
Instagram is a leading global social media platform primarily focused on photo and video sharing, with over 2 billion monthly active users as of 2025. Founded in 2010, Instagram quickly evolved from a simple photo-sharing app into a comprehensive platform for creativity, community building, and business engagement. It serves as a critical hub for trends, social interaction, and e-commerce worldwide[1][4]. Instagram’s core functionality centers on visual content, including photos, Stories, Reels (short-form videos), and shopping features. These tools enable users and brands to express themselves creatively while connecting with audiences in authentic ways. Instagram’s business impact is substantial: 90% of users follow at least one brand, and 29% make purchases directly on the platform, making it a vital channel for marketing and sales[1][4][5]. This has transformed Instagram into a powerful marketplace and advertising platform, offering targeted ad options such as promoted posts, Story ads, Reels ads, and Shopping ads that integrate seamlessly with organic content. Businesses of all sizes leverage Instagram’s AI-powered content creation tools, editing features, and analytics to optimize engagement and growth[2][3]. Instagram’s evolution continues with frequent feature updates in 2025, including enhanced creative tools like AI-driven video “Restyle,” profile grid rearrangement, caption and comment additions to Stories, and more sophisticated content layering. These innovations expand creative freedom and improve user interaction, benefiting both creators and brands[3][6][8]. Today, Instagram is not only a social network but a dynamic business ecosystem where small and large companies alike compete by fostering real connections and engaging storytelling. Its integration with AI and data analytics empowers businesses to strategically grow audiences, increase brand visibility, and drive conversions in a competitive digital landscape[1][2][7]. Instagram remains a cornerstone of social media innovation and commerce in 2025, continually shaping how people connect and transact online.
Meta
Meta Platforms, Inc., known simply as Meta, is a leading American multinational technology company headquartered in Menlo Park, California, best known for its ownership of major social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Threads[1]. Founded in 2004 as TheFacebook, Inc., it rebranded to Facebook, Inc. in 2005 and adopted the Meta name in 2021 to signal its strategic pivot towards building the "metaverse"—a digital ecosystem integrating virtual and augmented reality technologies[1]. Meta primarily generates revenue through advertising, which constituted approximately 97.8% of its total income as of 2023[1]. The company is a key player among Big Tech firms, alongside Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet, and Amazon, with a market capitalization of about $1.585 trillion as of early 2025[6]. It has a vast global user base, with Facebook alone boasting hundreds of millions of users in countries like India (378 million), the U.S. (194 million), Indonesia, and Brazil, supported by extensive localization efforts for over 111 languages[6]. Meta invests heavily in research and development, spending $35.3 billion in 2022, making it the world’s third-largest R&D spender[1]. Its current focus emphasizes artificial intelligence (AI) and superintelligence, with major investments such as a multibillion-dollar funding round in AI startup Scale AI in 2025, and the development of advanced AI models like Llama 4.1 and 4.2 through its Meta Superintelligence Labs[1][2]. This AI-driven shift reflects Meta’s evolving mission to empower individual users through personalized digital experiences, moving beyond its original social networking identity[2]. In addition to social media and AI, Meta pursues innovation in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) hardware, notably through products like Meta Quest VR headsets and Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses,
YouTube
YouTube is a leading American online video-sharing platform founded on February 14, 2005, by Chad Hurley, Jawed Karim, and Steve Chen, former PayPal employees. Headquartered in San Bruno, California, it is owned by Alphabet (Google) since its acquisition in November 2006 for $1.65 billion. Today, YouTube ranks as the second-most-visited website globally, behind Google, with over 2.7 billion monthly active users as of January 2024[1]. The platform allows users to upload, share, and view videos across a vast range of categories including entertainment, education, news, and more. It has evolved from hosting simple user-generated videos to becoming a cultural powerhouse where creators produce professional-grade content, including talk shows, feature films, and music videos[2]. In the U.S., TV has surpassed mobile devices as the primary screen for YouTube viewing, reflecting its integration into mainstream entertainment[2]. YouTube's business model initially relied on advertising revenue but has expanded to include paid content, YouTube Premium subscriptions that offer ad-free viewing, and exclusive content. In 2023, YouTube generated $31.7 billion in advertising revenue, with combined ad and subscription revenue exceeding $50 billion from late 2023 to 2024[1]. The platform has paid creators over $100 billion worldwide in the past four years, underscoring its role as a major economic engine for content creators and media companies[3]. Technological innovation remains central to YouTube’s growth. Recent advances include AI-powered tools for creators, such as automatic language dubbing introduced in December 2024, and integration of Google DeepMind’s AI features to simplify video editing and enhance Shorts content creation[1][3]. YouTube also launched Playables—free-to-play games accessible directly on the platform—in mid-2024, diversifying user engagement[1]. Marking its 20th anniversary in 2025, YouTube
Netflix
Netflix, Inc., founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Los Gatos, California, is a global media and entertainment company primarily known for its streaming service that offers movies, TV series, and games to over 300 million paid subscribers across more than 190 countries[1][2]. Initially disrupting the traditional video rental market dominated by Blockbuster, Netflix evolved from DVD rentals to pioneering the streaming model in 2007, fundamentally changing how audiences consume entertainment[1]. Netflix’s transition into original content production beginning in 2013 marked a significant milestone, with acclaimed series and films that garnered numerous awards, establishing it not only as a distributor but also a creator of high-quality content[1]. This strategic pivot helped Netflix compete against traditional broadcasters and emerging streaming platforms. By 2023, Netflix expanded into live programming, further broadening its content offerings and competitive scope[1]. Financially, Netflix is a powerhouse with a market capitalization of approximately $464 billion as of late 2025, annual revenues exceeding $43 billion, and a strong earnings per share figure of $23.97 from the previous year, showcasing robust profitability and investor confidence[1]. Under the leadership of CEO Theodore A. Sarandos, Netflix continues to innovate in entertainment technology, providing flexible viewing experiences where users can play, pause, and resume content anytime, anywhere[1][2]. Notable aspects of Netflix include its disruption of traditional media, its investment in diverse global content, and its adaptation to technological shifts in media consumption. Its impact extends beyond entertainment to influence digital distribution, consumer behavior, and the economics of content creation and delivery in the 21st century[1][2]. Netflix remains a benchmark in streaming services and a key player in the evolving landscape of global entertainment.
