Instagram Chief Grilled Over Multimillion-Dollar Pay at Addiction Trial

Adam Mosseri testifies about his lucrative compensation as Meta faces lawsuit over social media's impact on youth mental health.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, took the stand in a high-profile lawsuit alleging that Meta and other social media companies knowingly engineered their platforms to addict and harm children. During his testimony, Mosseri revealed details about his own multimillion-dollar pay package, which includes a base salary of $900,000 and annual bonuses that can reach half of that amount, as well as stock-based compensation that has reached over $20 million in some years.

Why it matters

The lawsuit, considered a bellwether trial, seeks to hold social media giants accountable for the negative mental health impacts their platforms have had on young users. Mosseri's testimony about his own substantial compensation has fueled arguments that the companies prioritized profits over user wellbeing.

The details

Mosseri was questioned by the plaintiff's attorney, Mark Lanier, about Meta's policies on features like cosmetic filters, which the lawsuit alleges contributed to the plaintiff's depression and suicidal thoughts. Lanier pressed Mosseri on whether banning such features could have impacted Mosseri's own bottom line, but Mosseri said he was "never worried about this affecting our stock price."

  • The lawsuit is currently playing out in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The players

Adam Mosseri

The head of Instagram and a top executive at Meta (formerly Facebook).

Mark Lanier

The attorney representing the plaintiff in the social media addiction lawsuit against Meta and other tech companies.

KGM

A 20-year-old woman who is the plaintiff in the lawsuit, alleging that her use of social media as a child negatively impacted her mental health.

Stephanie Otway

A spokesperson for Meta who defended the company's efforts to support young people on its platforms.

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What they’re saying

“I was never worried about this affecting our stock price.”

— Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram (businessinsider.com)

“We strongly disagree with these allegations and are confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.”

— Stephanie Otway, Meta Spokesperson (businessinsider.com)

What’s next

The trial is ongoing, and the judge will ultimately decide whether Meta and other social media companies are liable for the mental health impacts of their platforms on young users.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing scrutiny over social media companies' business practices and their impact on vulnerable populations, particularly children and teenagers. The revelation of Instagram chief Adam Mosseri's multimillion-dollar compensation package has fueled arguments that these platforms prioritized profits over user wellbeing.