Twenty-nine states accuse Facebook and Instagram owner of exploiting young users while Meta disputes links to mental health harms

OAKLAND: Meta Platforms has rejected accusations that it deliberately designed Facebook and Instagram to addict children for profit as a landmark federal trial involving 29 US states opened in California.

California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are leading the case, accusing Meta of creating features that encourage compulsive use among young people while allegedly misleading consumers about safety. All participating states also accuse the company of improperly collecting children’s personal data.

California Deputy Attorney General Megan O’Neill told jurors that Meta sought to keep users engaged for longer periods, collect their data and reassure parents that children remained safe.

Meta lawyer Paul Schmidt rejected those allegations, arguing that research had not established a clear causal relationship between adolescent social media use and reduced well-being.

States Seek Penalties and Major Platform Changes

US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will ultimately determine Meta’s liability after jurors deliver an advisory verdict.

If the court finds Meta liable, the judge could impose substantial financial penalties and order changes to Facebook and Instagram. Meta estimates potential penalties could reach $1.4 trillion, while state attorneys general have suggested a figure closer to $200 billion.

Furthermore, the four lead states want Meta to remove or modify features including likes and infinite scrolling, introduce time limits for younger users and strengthen measures preventing children under 13 from accessing its platforms.

Former Meta Safety Engineer Testifies

Former Meta safety engineer Arturo Bejar became the states’ first witness after opening arguments.

Bejar told jurors that Meta sometimes launched products without adequately considering safety and alleged that the company took an ineffective approach toward detecting underage users.

Meanwhile, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri are expected to testify during the six-week trial.

The case represents one of the most consequential legal challenges confronting the social media industry, potentially influencing how major technology companies design, operate and regulate platforms used by millions of children and teenagers.