Instagram use can be 'problematic' but not addictive, says app's chief

Core Viewpoint - The head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, testified in court that he does not believe social media can lead to clinical addiction, instead referring to excessive use as "problematic use" [1][2]. Group 1: Testimony and Definitions - Mosseri emphasized the distinction between clinical addiction and "problematic use," which he defines as spending more time on Instagram than one feels good about [2]. - He acknowledged a specific case where a user spent 16 hours on Instagram in one day, labeling it as "problematic use" [3]. Group 2: Company Policies and Decisions - Meta, Instagram's parent company, banned body image filters in 2019, but internal discussions indicated a desire to lift the ban, despite concerns about user safety [4][6]. - Emails revealed that some Instagram employees advocated for maintaining the ban on filters that promote plastic surgery, highlighting a conflict between growth and responsibility [5][6]. Group 3: Criticism and Implications - Mosseri's testimony faced criticism, particularly from advocates for bereaved families, who argue that Instagram's leadership prioritized growth over the safety of minors [7][8]. - The testimony suggested that Instagram was aware of the risks its platform posed to young users but continued to implement features designed to increase engagement, potentially exposing them to harm [9].