Meta Platforms has denied allegations made by U.S. states that it deliberately aimed to make children dependent on its Facebook and Instagram platforms for profit as a significant trial began on Tuesday. A coalition of 29 U.S. states is suing Meta, seeking potentially massive penalties and changes in Meta’s business practices. The states, including California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, accused Meta of creating Facebook and Instagram to engage young users, leading to mental health issues and deceptive safety claims. The lawsuit accuses Meta of violating federal laws by improperly gathering and using children’s personal information.
The trial in the federal court in Oakland, California, is considered a major legal examination of social media’s impact on young users. Meta, along with other social media giants like Snap, TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, and YouTube’s parent company Alphabet, is facing numerous lawsuits over the alleged negative effects of their platforms on young users.
During the trial’s opening statements, Megan O’Neill, a deputy attorney general for California, claimed that Meta’s business strategy focused on addicting users, extracting their data, and concealing the truth. She highlighted the company’s emphasis on attracting children and ensuring their safety.
Meta’s lawyer, Paul Schmidt, acknowledged the challenges some social media users face but argued that research does not definitively link teenagers’ social media use to poor well-being. Schmidt emphasized Meta’s commitment to enhancing its services without compromising user safety.
The trial will determine Meta’s liability, with potential civil penalties and mandated changes to Facebook and Instagram if the court finds Meta accountable. The states are pushing for extensive changes to the platforms, such as eliminating features like likes and infinite scrolling, implementing time restrictions for younger users, and enforcing measures to protect children under 13.
The first witness, former Meta safety engineer Arturo Bejar, testified about the company’s approach to child safety and its product deployment strategies. Bejar highlighted Meta’s lax monitoring of children under 13 online and its prioritization of product rollout over safety considerations.
Critics of Meta gathered outside the courthouse as the trial commenced, with some expressing concerns about the platforms’ impact on children’s mental health. The trial, expected to last six weeks, will feature testimonies from key figures like Mark Zuckerberg and Adam Mosseri.
The ongoing legal battle stems from whistleblower Frances Haugen’s revelations in 2023 about Meta’s knowledge of the risks its products posed to children. Recent court orders and lawsuits against Meta underscore the growing concerns surrounding social media platforms’ influence on young users.