Instagram chief testifies at Meta trial, says few teens used safety feature

Live updates

1. 20d ago

   Meta reaches multi-billion dollar settlement over teen social media addiction

   Meta Platforms has agreed to a settlement with U.S. states to resolve claims that its platforms were designed to hook young users. The company will pay between $17 billion and $18 billion and implement stricter child-safety measures on Facebook and Instagram. These changes include making safety and wellness features the default for young users, introducing time limits, and implementing nighttime blocks. The agreement follows a trial where Instagram head Adam Mosseri testified that few teens used safety features before they became default settings and denied suppressing risks to children.

   Why it matters

   The legal action was brought by dozens of U.S. states alleging that Meta's products caused social media addiction in minors. This bellwether trial focused on whether the company intentionally designed its algorithms to be addictive. The settlement aims to balance corporate accountability with systemic changes to the teen user experience.

   What is confirmed

   • Meta agreed to pay between $17 billion and $18 billion to settle social media addiction claims with U.S. states.
   • The settlement requires Meta to make safety and wellness features the default option for young users.
   • New protections for users under 18 include time caps and nighttime blocks.
   • Instagram head Adam Mosseri testified that few teens used safety features before they were set as defaults.
   • Adam Mosseri denied that the company encouraged the suppression of risks associated with children using social media.

   What to watch next

   • Implementation timeline for the new default safety settings
   • Reaction from child safety groups regarding the sufficiency of the settlement terms
   Sources used for this update (14)

   1. Reuters — Instagram head Mosseri denies encouraging suppression of child social media risks
   2. NPR — Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, testifies in defense of Meta in child safety trial
   3. The New York Times — Instagram Chief Says ‘No Silver Bullets’ for Teen Safety in Bellwether Trial
   4. The Guardian — Instagram CEO denies company hid low use of teen safety feature in Meta trial
   5. Al Jazeera — Instagram chief testifies at Meta trial, says few teens used safety feature
   6. www.ocregister.com — Instagram chief takes the stand in a trial pitting Meta against states over social media harms
   7. www.storyboard18.com — Instagram chief says few teens used safety feature before default setting in Meta addiction case
   8. www.pbs.org — Meta reaches $17 billion settlement with states in landmark trial over teen social media addiction
   9. www.wired.com — The Meta Settlement Will Put Limits on Instagram for Teens. They’re Still Vulnerable
   10. www.nbcnews.com — Meta agrees to settle social media addiction claims with states for up to $18 billion
   11. www.theguardian.com — What’s about to change on Facebook and Instagram: six key takeaways from the end of the Meta trial
   12. abc30.com — Instagram chief takes the stand in a trial pitting Meta against states over social media harms
   confidence 90%