Instagram Chief Testifies on Social Media Use in California Trial

Testimony from Instagram’s head was presented in a Los Angeles courtroom as part of a civil trial involving claims about social media’s impact on young users.

On February 11, 2026, Adam Mosseri, who leads Instagram, appeared in court and addressed the issue of whether social media use can be classified as clinical addiction. He stated that he does not believe people can be clinically addicted to social media, instead describing some behaviors as “problematic use.”.

The trial centers on a 20-year-old plaintiff, referred to as “KGM,” whose case could influence legal outcomes for thousands of similar lawsuits in the United States. The plaintiff alleges harm resulting from social media use during youth.

This case is part of a broader proceeding in California that names both.

YouTube and Meta as defendants. TikTok and Snap, which were previously involved in the litigation, have already reached settlements and are no longer parties to the case.

What the numbers show

• Testimony occurred on February 11, 2026
• The plaintiff is 20 years old and identified as “KGM”
• The trial may set precedent for thousands of similar lawsuits

During his appearance, Mosseri emphasized the need for caution when labeling certain behaviors as addiction, noting that he is not a medical professional. He distinguished between clinical addiction and what he described as problematic patterns of use.

Mosseri also addressed Instagram’s approach to balancing user safety with minimal censorship. He referenced recent steps the company has taken to improve protections for younger users on the platform.

The outcome of this trial could affect how social media companies respond to a large number of related lawsuits across the country. The proceedings are being closely observed due to their potential to influence future legal actions involving technology firms and youth safety.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.