Instagram increased average daily user time from 40 minutes in 2023 to 46 minutes in 2026, according to internal documentation disclosed during testimony by Mark Zuckerberg in a Los Angeles County Superior Court case.
The time-spent data has become a central issue in K.G.M. v. Platforms et al., a state court trial examining whether social media companies bear responsibility for youth mental health problems linked to their platforms or design features.
Trial Focuses On Youth Mental Health Claims
In the case, a 19-year-old plaintiff identified as K.G.M., also referred to as Kaley, alleges that early use of social media harmed her mental health and contributed to addiction, depression and suicidal thoughts.
Executives from Meta and YouTube are testifying. Snap and TikTok settled before the trial began.
Meta disputes the claims. Spokesperson Stephanie Otway said in a statement that the jury must determine whether Instagram was a substantial factor in the plaintiff’s mental health struggles, adding that evidence would show she faced significant challenges before using social media.
Internal Documents And Teen Engagement
Plaintiffs’ attorneys argue that Meta set internal targets to increase user time on Instagram while aware that minors were active on the platform.
During testimony, Zuckerberg was questioned about his 2024 statement to Congress that children under 13 were not allowed on Instagram. Internal documents from 2015 indicated the company was aware of approximately 4 million users under 13, representing about 30% of U.S. children aged 10 to 12.
Zuckerberg said he answered Congress based on company policy and stated that Instagram removed underage users when identified. He also distinguished between internal “milestones” tracking engagement and specific operational “goals.”
Other documents referenced in court included emails from a former product manager stating, “Our overall company goal is total teen time spent,” and noting that “Mark has decided that the top priority for the company in the first half of 2017 is teens.” A December 2018 market analysis described tweens as the highest retention age group in the U.S.
An email from Nick Clegg, a former adviser to Zuckerberg, described Instagram’s age requirements as “unenforceable.”
Age Verification And Recent Safeguards
Plaintiffs contend that Instagram did not act to address existing underage accounts until August 2021, when it began requiring users to enter their birthdays. Meta said it began requesting ages from new users at sign-up in 2019.
In recent years, Instagram has introduced teen safety measures and parental controls. Internal documents cited in testimony indicate that Meta’s current objective includes making Instagram the largest teen destination by monthly active users in the U.S. and globally this year.
Featured image credits: Wikimedia Commons
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