Meta Platforms is facing a major legal challenge in the United States over allegations that Facebook and Instagram were deliberately designed to keep children and teenagers engaged for longer periods to increase profits.
The company has rejected the allegations, arguing that its platforms are not designed to be addictive and that there is no clear evidence establishing a direct link between adolescent social media use and poor wellbeing.
The trial began in federal court in Oakland, California, with 29 US states seeking potentially enormous financial penalties as well as changes to the way Meta operates Facebook and Instagram.
Four states — California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey — are leading the case. They allege that Meta intentionally designed features of its platforms to attract and retain young users while misleading the public about the safety of its services.
All 29 states have also accused Meta of violating federal law through the improper collection and use of children's personal information.
The case is being closely watched because it could become one of the most significant legal examinations of social media's impact on children and teenagers.
States accuse Meta of targeting children
During opening arguments, California officials alleged that Meta's business strategy involved keeping users engaged for as long as possible, collecting their data and failing to adequately disclose the risks associated with its platforms.
Prosecutors argued that children were particularly valuable to the company's business model and that Meta had an incentive to reassure parents and others responsible for children's wellbeing that its platforms were safe.
Meta's lawyer disputed those claims, acknowledging that some people experience difficulties while using social media but arguing that research does not establish a clear causal relationship between social media use and reduced wellbeing among teenagers.
The company also maintains that its leadership wants users to have a positive experience because the success of its services depends on people continuing to value them.
Meta could face huge penalties and platform changes
The jury is expected to provide an advisory verdict, while US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will ultimately determine whether Meta is liable.
If Meta is found responsible, the judge could impose civil penalties and order changes to Facebook and Instagram.
Meta has estimated that potential penalties could reach as high as $1.4 trillion, a figure close to the company's market value. State attorneys general have suggested that the amount could instead be around $200 billion.
The states are also seeking significant changes to Meta's platforms.
Among the proposed measures are removing features such as likes and infinite scrolling, introducing time limits for younger users and strengthening measures designed to prevent children under 13 from accessing the services.
Former Meta safety engineer testifies
Former Meta safety engineer Arturo Bejar was the first witness called by the states after opening arguments.
Bejar has previously argued that Meta was aware of shortcomings in its child safety systems. He has also testified against the company in several other legal proceedings.
Meta attempted to prevent Bejar from testifying, citing allegations involving deleted Signal messages with former employees. The judge rejected the company's effort to exclude him.
During his testimony, Bejar alleged that safety concerns were not always given sufficient consideration when new products and features were introduced.
He specifically referred to products such as Reels and claimed that the company did not adequately monitor whether children under 13 were using its services.
Meta co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri are also expected to testify during the trial, which is scheduled to continue for around six weeks.
Meta's shares fell during Tuesday's trading session and closed 4.4% lower at $543.67.
Critics highlight impact on young users
The states have argued that Meta researched how younger users respond to online content and used information about their behaviour to increase engagement.
Officials also cited internal communications in which employees allegedly discussed increasing the amount of time teenagers spent on Instagram.
Meta has acknowledged that employees may sometimes use informal language internally but maintains that its products are not addictive.
Critics of the company gathered outside the courthouse as the trial began, with some families sharing personal accounts of harm they believe was connected to social media.
The broader lawsuit began in 2023, following growing scrutiny of Meta's handling of child safety.
The debate intensified after former Meta employee Frances Haugen told the US Senate that the company knew some of its products could be harmful to children and had information that could help address the risks.
Meta faces other lawsuits over child safety
The California case is part of a much wider legal battle involving Meta and other major social media companies.
Meta, Snap, TikTok owner ByteDance and YouTube parent Alphabet are facing thousands of lawsuits from states, local governments, school districts and individuals over allegations that their platforms can harm young users.
Earlier this year, a Los Angeles jury ordered Meta and Google to pay $6 million to a young woman who said she became addicted to Instagram and YouTube during childhood.
A New Mexico judge also recently ordered Meta to pay $567 million following allegations concerning teenagers' mental health and the company's conduct.
Tennessee's attorney general has filed another case against Meta involving similar allegations about Instagram, with that case currently being heard in Nashville.
The outcome of the California trial could therefore have consequences well beyond Meta, potentially influencing how social media companies design and regulate platforms used by children and teenagers.
