The courtroom in Los Angeles is about to become a stage for one of Silicon Valley’s most uncomfortable conversations: whether the architecture of Instagram was built to connect — or to keep young users hooked.
Adam Mosseri, the public face of the Meta-owned platform, is set to testify over claims that Instagram’s design choices have deepened mental health struggles among teenagers and young adults. In the weeks ahead, Meta’s chief executive is also expected to take the stand.
At the heart of the trial is a now 20-year-old woman who says her relationship with Instagram began early and spiraled into dependency. Court filings describe her argument in blunt terms: the app’s structure — particularly its infinite feed — pulled her into a cycle she struggled to break, amplifying anxiety along the way.
The so-called “endless scroll” sits at the center of the dispute. Unlike traditional pages with natural stopping points, the feature keeps content flowing without pause. Critics say it erases the moment of reflection when a user might otherwise log off. A recent advisory from pediatric experts warned that such features can make it harder for children to disengage from screens, reinforcing concerns raised in the case.
The plaintiff’s legal team contends that internal company records show awareness of potential harms, especially among teens already facing emotional or social challenges. They argue that vulnerable adolescents were more likely to slide into compulsive use — and that parental controls offered little real restraint.
Meta rejects that narrative. The company maintains it has long invested in tools and research aimed at protecting younger users, framing internal discussions as part of ongoing efforts to refine safeguards rather than conceal risks.
The verdict in this case could ripple far beyond one California courtroom. Hundreds of similar lawsuits across the United States are watching closely, as are policymakers abroad. Governments from Australia to parts of Europe are weighing — and in some cases enacting — tougher rules to limit minors’ access to social media platforms.
What unfolds in Los Angeles will not simply revisit one young woman’s experience. It will probe a larger question haunting the digital age: when does smart design cross the line into engineered dependence?
