Meta Claims Social Media Addiction Is a Myth, Not Reality

Meta is actively working to challenge the notion that social media platforms are inherently addictive, seeking to reshape public perception and counter growing concerns about the potential negative impact of online engagement on users' well-being.

Lawsuits Target Social Media Addiction and Mental Health

This week, the spotlight is firmly on Meta, the parent company behind platforms like Instagram, as it confronts two high-profile legal cases in the United States. In a courtroom in Los Angeles and another in New Mexico, allegations are being heard about whether so-called “addictive” features on social networks are harming young users’ mental health. Both cases zero in on a contentious question: can compulsive use of social media be defined as an actual addiction—and, if so, who bears responsibility?

Two Cases, One Central Question

In New Mexico, prosecutors have accused Meta of enabling exploitation and exposing children to features that may damage their well-being over the long term. Meanwhile, a California resident has filed suit directly linking her psychological distress to the design of Instagram and other platforms owned by the tech giant. Each case seeks accountability for alleged failures to protect vulnerable users.

The Science Behind “Addiction” Debated in Court

Facing these accusations head-on, top executives from Meta, including Instagram’s chief Adam Mosseri, have forcefully argued that calling excessive social media use an “addiction” stretches the definition beyond what science recognizes. Mosseri drew comparisons between binge-watching television series and compulsively scrolling through feeds—suggesting both are far removed from clinically established dependencies.

Their legal defense hinges on a technical point: “social media addiction” does not appear in the DSM—the definitive psychiatric manual published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Attorney Kevin Huff stressed to jurors that its absence implies a lack of scientific consensus.

Yet, specialists are far from unified on this front. When pressed recently, representatives from the APA acknowledged that while no official diagnosis exists yet, this does not rule out genuine harm or addictive patterns. Researchers like Dr. Tania Moretta note that many conditions are recognized and treated long before they make it into such manuals.

Several factors help illustrate this emerging syndrome:

• Dysregulation of reward and motivation systems;
• Difficulties in school, work, or personal life;
• Sleep disorders and psychological distress.

The Road Ahead for Legal and Public Scrutiny

As these lawsuits progress—a process expected to span several weeks—more revelations seem likely. Notably, whistleblower testimony in New Mexico has already brought certain internal practices at Meta to light. The next chapter will see CEO Mark Zuckerberg take the stand in Los Angeles. The trials may also unveil confidential documents detailing how much the company itself understands about youth mental health risks related to its products—a move towards transparency that could further fuel an already intense debate around digital responsibility.