Oakland: A landmark trial against Meta Platforms has begun in the United States, with 29 states accusing the company of designing Facebook and Instagram in ways that encouraged addictive use among children and contributed to youth mental health problems. The states are seeking up to $200 billion in damages.
States accuse Meta of putting engagement first
The coalition alleges that Meta prioritised user engagement and profits over child safety. Prosecutors claim features such as infinite scrolling and recommendation systems were designed to keep young users spending more time on the platforms.
The states also accuse the company of misleading consumers about safety measures and illegally collecting data from children under 13. Meta has rejected the allegations and maintains that it has introduced tools to protect young users.
Former executive gives key testimony
Former Meta engineering director Arturo Béjar has testified for the states, alleging that child safety was not given sufficient priority within the company.
Béjar told the court that Meta had adopted what he described as a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach towards underage users. He also alleged that safety features were less effective than they could have been because the company remained focused on engagement.
Trial could reshape social media
The case, being heard in Oakland, is expected to last around six weeks. Beyond financial penalties, the states are seeking changes to how Meta operates its platforms, potentially affecting features and safeguards used by millions of people.
The trial is being closely watched as governments and families worldwide debate the impact of social media on children and teenagers. A verdict could influence future regulation and legal action against major technology companies.