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Instagram Executive Faces Court Scrutiny Over Mental Health Allegations

Investing.com •
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Instagram's head Adam Mosseri will testify in a Los Angeles court on Wednesday amid a lawsuit alleging the app's design harms youth mental health. The plaintiff, a 20-year-old woman, claims Instagram's infinite scroll feature addicted her during adolescence, exacerbating anxiety. Her lawsuit argues Meta knew about these risks but failed to act, citing internal documents suggesting teens with vulnerabilities were targeted.**

Meta's legal team counters that internal discussions focused on mitigating harm, including developing user controls. However, attorneys for the plaintiff assert these measures were ineffective, referencing a leaked study showing Meta identified parental controls as inadequate for protecting at-risk youth. Mark Zuckerberg is also expected to testify in related proceedings, facing questions about Meta's awareness of algorithmic impacts.

The trial highlights growing scrutiny of social media platforms' role in mental health crises. Plaintiffs' lawyers emphasize social media accountability, while Meta maintains its commitment to user well-being. The case could reshape how platforms balance engagement tactics with ethical responsibilities.

Meta's spokesperson reiterated confidence in the company's safeguards, stating, "We've long prioritized young users' safety." Yet the proceedings underscore mounting pressure on tech giants to address allegations of exploitative design. The outcome may influence future regulations targeting algorithmic transparency and youth protections.