Meta faces landmark US trial over alleged harm to children

Washington: Meta is facing a major legal challenge in the United States over allegations that its social media platforms were deliberately designed to encourage addictive use among children, with experts comparing the case to the tobacco industry’s legal battles.

A coalition of US states sued Meta in 2023, alleging that the company used features on Facebook and Instagram that encouraged prolonged and compulsive use among young people.

Four states lead the case

California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey were selected to represent the claims in the federal trial.

Prosecutors are expected to argue that Meta understood the risks associated with its platforms but continued to use design features intended to maximise engagement among younger users.

The case could become one of the most significant legal challenges yet involving the impact of social media on children’s wellbeing.

Meta rejects the allegations

Meta has strongly denied the claims and said it remains committed to supporting young people.

A company spokesperson told AFP that Meta had listened to parents, worked with experts and law enforcement, and was confident that evidence presented in court would demonstrate its efforts to protect young users.

The company is expected to challenge the states’ interpretation of its business practices and the evidence linking its platforms to harm.

Why the case is being compared to tobacco

Legal experts say the case has similarities with lawsuits against tobacco companies, particularly because it focuses on alleged business practices rather than simply the harmful effects of a product.

Vincent Joralemon of Berkeley’s Life Sciences Law and Policy Center described the case as feeling similar to the tobacco litigation of the 1990s.

Unlike tobacco, however, the legal and scientific questions surrounding social media addiction and children’s mental health remain actively contested.

The outcome could have implications beyond Meta, potentially influencing how major technology companies design and regulate platforms used by children.