Instagram head Adam Mosseri testified on August 25, 2026, that fewer than 2% of teenagers initially used the platform’s ‘Take a Break’ feature when it launched in 2021, a well-being tool designed to encourage users to step away from the app after set periods. The revelation came during a landmark federal trial in Oakland, California, where 29 U.S. states are suing Meta Platforms, alleging the company designed Instagram and Facebook to addict children, fueling anxiety, depression, and suicide risks while violating federal privacy laws for children under 13.
Mosseri, who has led Instagram since 2018, acknowledged that the feature’s low adoption rate was a persistent challenge. Internal documents cited in court showed that only 1.8% of teens activated ‘Take a Break’ in early tests, despite Meta’s public claims in December 2021 that over 90% of those who enabled it kept it on. The company later made the feature the default setting for teen accounts in September 2024, nearly three years after its introduction.
States’ Allegations and Meta’s Defense
The lawsuit, led by attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, accuses Meta of designing platforms to maximize engagement at the expense of children’s mental health. The states allege Meta violated federal law by improperly collecting and using data from children under 13, a claim the company denies. Meta has stated its research shows no clear link between adolescent social media use and reduced well-being, and that it has taken steps to address concerns.
During testimony, Mosseri defended Instagram’s efforts, stating that the company prioritized safety and made adjustments over time. He noted that the company experimented with notifications to encourage adoption of ‘Take a Break’, but these measures produced limited results. The feature’s default activation in 2024, he argued, rendered earlier adoption rates irrelevant to current operations.
Internal Data and Public Claims
The trial also highlighted discrepancies between Meta’s internal assessments and public communications. An internal slide presented in 2023 revealed that teenage Instagram users encountered 1.5 times more harmful content—including bullying, suicide, hate speech, nudity, and violence—than adult users. However, this data was removed from a presentation shown to Instagram leadership, according to testimony from Francesco Fogu, Instagram’s director of product design.
The states’ legal team has accused Meta of withholding critical information from users and parents, arguing that the company’s late adoption of default settings and selective data disclosure constituted a violation of consumer protection laws. The trial, expected to continue through September 2026, will conclude with an advisory verdict from jurors, though the final decision on liability and penalties rests with U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.
Background and Broader Implications
This case is the largest legal challenge to date against social media platforms over their impact on young users. It follows a 2024 jury verdict in Los Angeles, where Meta and Google were ordered to pay $6 million to a woman who alleged she became addicted to Instagram and YouTube as a child. The outcome of the Oakland trial could set a precedent for future regulations on how social media platforms design features for minors and handle children’s data.
Meta has consistently denied allegations of intentional harm, emphasizing its commitment to safety features and research transparency. However, the trial has exposed internal tensions, including testimony from former employees who have accused the company of prioritizing profit over user well-being. The case underscores broader debates about corporate accountability, digital privacy, and the responsibilities of tech giants in protecting vulnerable users.