Jury selection began Wednesday in California for a major case against Meta over alleged harm to children. The trial could become a defining moment for social media accountability.
Federal Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers and attorneys questioned potential jurors about their social media habits. They also asked whether their children use social platforms and whether these services affect mental health.
Eight people were selected to serve on the jury. However, they will have an advisory role, while the judge will make the final decision.
States Accuse Meta of Targeting Children
A coalition of US states sued Meta in 2023 over its approach to young users. Prosecutors allege that Meta deliberately designed addictive features for Facebook and Instagram.
California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are representing the wider coalition in the federal case. Their prosecutors will attempt to prove that Meta knowingly made its platforms addictive for children.
Meta strongly rejects those allegations. The company says it has worked with parents, experts and law enforcement to support young users.
The company also says it remains confident in its record of protecting teenagers online.
Why the Case Is Being Compared to Big Tobacco
Experts have compared the case to the tobacco industry lawsuits of the 1990s. Berkeley law expert Vincent Joralemon described it as a potential “tobacco moment” for social media.
The comparison focuses on business practices rather than simply the potential harms caused by technology. Tobacco companies faced intense scrutiny after evidence showed they had downplayed health risks.
US states eventually reached a landmark settlement with major tobacco companies in 1998. The agreement included financial penalties and restrictions on marketing, particularly toward children.
Meta has already faced similar legal challenges in separate trials in Los Angeles and New Mexico. Those cases resulted in combined damages approaching $1 billion.
Meta Could Face Massive Financial and Reputational Costs
In Oakland, prosecutors are seeking major changes to Meta’s platforms alongside financial penalties. The potential damages could reach $1.4 trillion.
However, experts say financial penalties may not represent Meta’s biggest concern. A ruling could cause significant reputational damage and force the company to make substantial changes.
Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is also expected to testify. His appearance could become a major moment in the proceedings.
Stanford law professor Nora Freeman Engstrom said the case could begin a broader reckoning for Meta. She highlighted the importance of examining what the company knew privately compared with what it publicly disclosed.
Thousands of Other Social Media Cases Continue
The case comes amid growing legal pressure on major social media companies. In May, Snap, TikTok, YouTube and Meta agreed to a $27 million settlement with a Kentucky school district.
That settlement prevented another trial that could have influenced roughly 1,200 similar lawsuits.
Meanwhile, a federal appeals court ruled Monday that more than 3,000 additional lawsuits against Meta, Google, Snap and TikTok can proceed.
Therefore, the California case could have consequences far beyond Meta. Its outcome may influence how courts, regulators and lawmakers address social media’s impact on children and teenagers.
