Instagram’s Time-Tracking Revealed During Lawsuit
Instagram has been under scrutiny in a lawsuit that sheds light on the amount of time users spend on the app. Company executives have highlighted various “milestones” reached year after year, showing a steady increase in daily usage. According to documentation revealed during CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s testimony in a state court case in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the app’s daily usage grew from 40 minutes per day in 2023 to 46 minutes per day in 2026.
The focus on time-spent metrics is a crucial aspect of the lawsuit, which is a rare appearance for Zuckerberg before a jury. The case, known as K.G.M. v. Platforms et al., is currently ongoing in L.A. County’s Superior Court. The jury will determine whether social media companies can be held accountable for youth mental health issues stemming from their platforms or addictive designs. While Snap and TikTok settled before the trial began, executives from Meta and YouTube are providing testimony as part of the trial.
The plaintiff in the case, a 19-year-old referred to as K.G.M. or “Kaley,” alleges that using social media at a young age had a detrimental impact on her mental health. She claims that it led to addiction to technology and the development of depression, including suicidal thoughts. Meta, the parent company of Instagram, disputes that its app is responsible for Kaley’s struggles.
The lawsuit aims to prove that Meta set internal goals to increase the time users spent on Instagram, despite being aware of minors using the platform. During Zuckerberg’s testimony, he was questioned about statements he made to Congress in 2024 regarding children under 13 not being allowed on Instagram. Internal documents revealed that the company knew of around 4 million underage users on the app as far back as 2015. Zuckerberg defended his response to Congress, stating that the company’s policy was accurately represented, and underage users were removed from the platform.
However, additional documents referenced during the testimony suggested Instagram’s growing interest in the tween and teen demographic. Emails from a former product manager indicated a company goal of increasing teen engagement, with a particular focus on teens’ time spent on the platform. Despite knowledge of underage users, Instagram did not take action until 2021 when it started requiring users to enter their birthdates.
While Instagram has implemented teen protections and parental controls in recent years, its continued focus on the young demographic is evident. Internal documents mentioned in the testimony revealed Meta’s goal for Instagram to be the leading teen destination by monthly active users in the U.S. and globally.
In conclusion, the lawsuit highlights the importance of responsible platform usage and the potential impact on mental health, especially among young users. It serves as a reminder for social media companies to prioritize user well-being and safety in their design and policies.
