A jury will decide whether Meta Platforms Inc. bears legal responsibility for allegedly designing Instagram to be addictive, in a case that could establish precedent for thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies.

The lawsuit centers on claims that Meta intentionally created features designed to keep users engaged for extended periods. One case involves a user who reportedly spent 16 hours on Instagram, though specific details about the circumstances were not provided.

Legal experts say the outcome could significantly impact how social media platforms operate and their potential liability for user behavior. The case represents part of a broader wave of litigation targeting tech companies over their products' effects on users, particularly young people.

The lawsuit alleges that social media platforms employ deliberate design strategies to maximize user engagement and time spent on their platforms. Plaintiffs argue these features constitute intentionally addictive mechanisms that harm users' mental health and well-being.

Meta has not publicly detailed its defense strategy for this specific case. The company has previously stated that it builds tools and policies to support users' well-being and provides resources for those who may be struggling with their platform usage.

The trial's outcome could influence thousands of pending cases against major social media companies and potentially lead to changes in how platforms design their user interfaces and engagement features.