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Instagram CEO disputes claims over low teen safety feature uptake in trial
Prosecutors cited that only 1.8% of teens opted into the Take a Break feature, while Meta has denied allegations and faces up to $200 billion in potential damages.
Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri disputed prosecutors’ allegations that Meta hid negative information during testimony in a federal jury trial in Oakland, California tied to a lawsuit brought by 29 US states.
Mosseri, the first top Meta executive to testify, was questioned about a teen safety tool called Take a Break, designed to encourage users to close Instagram after extended scrolling. Prosecutor Jason Slothouber said only 1.8% of teens signed up for the feature and argued Mosseri had not publicly disclosed that figure, to which Mosseri responded that he has said the opt-in rates are low but is not sure he has said the specific numbers.
The lawsuit alleges Meta deliberately designed addictive products for young people, contributing to mental health issues including anxiety, depression, and suicide. The states also claim Meta collected data on children under 13 without parental permission in alleged violation of federal and state laws.
If found liable, the case could result in Meta being ordered to pay damages as high as $200 billion and change product designs to make them safer for kids, while legal experts say the outcome could affect how social media apps operate for young users. Meta has denied all allegations, calling the states’ position an “outlandish payout,” and says its safety teams work to be industry-leading.