Meta faces major trial over alleged harmful impact

Meta Platforms is facing a major legal battle in a California federal court, where a group of state attorneys general is accusing the company of deliberately designing Facebook and Instagram in ways that can make children and teenagers addicted to social media. The trial, beginning Wednesday in Oakland, could result in huge financial penalties and force Meta to make major changes to how its platforms operate.

The seven-week trial will examine allegations from Colorado, Kentucky, California and New Jersey that Meta designed its platforms to keep young users engaged for extended periods while misleading the public about their safety. The case also involves claims from 29 states that Meta illegally collected and used children’s personal information, allegedly violating federal law.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, with opening statements expected on August 18. Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify during the proceedings, along with Instagram chief Adam Mosseri.

The case is considered one of the biggest legal challenges yet faced by Meta over the effects of social media on young people. The company has estimated that potential damages could reach $1.4 trillion, a figure close to its market value of around $1.5 trillion. However, the states involved have not publicly revealed how much compensation they intend to seek.

The attorneys general are also asking the court to order Meta to introduce stronger age restrictions and remove features such as infinite scrolling. They want the company to make additional changes aimed at reducing the potential negative effects of social media on children.

Meta has strongly rejected the allegations and said it expects evidence presented during the trial to demonstrate its efforts to protect young users. The company said it has listened to parents, worked with experts and law enforcement agencies, and conducted extensive research into issues affecting children and teenagers.

The lawsuit, filed in 2023, followed a multistate investigation into the impact of Facebook and Instagram on young users. The investigation gained momentum after former Meta employee and whistleblower Frances Haugen testified before a US Senate committee in 2021. Haugen alleged that Meta was aware of potential harm to young users and had information about ways to make its platforms safer but chose not to make certain changes.

New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport has accused Meta of continuing to prioritise user engagement and profits despite allegedly knowing that its platforms could negatively affect children.

Public concern over social media use among young people is also growing. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 85% of Americans believe social media can be addictive for children, while 61% said social media companies need stronger government oversight.

Meta and other technology companies are facing thousands of similar lawsuits from states, school districts, local governments and individuals. Two cases that have already reached juries resulted in verdicts against Meta. Last week, a New Mexico judge ordered the company to pay $567 million and make changes to its platforms after finding Meta responsible for contributing to a children’s mental health crisis in the state.

Meta continues to deny wrongdoing and has argued that social media addiction is not officially recognised as a psychiatric condition. Legal experts believe the latest trial could become a crucial test for the company, particularly following recent courtroom losses.

The case will be overseen by US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who has taken the unusual step of using an advisory jury to provide findings on specific questions. Rogers will consider the jury’s conclusions but will have the final authority over the case.

The states are seeking financial damages as well as nationwide changes to Meta’s platforms. Their demands include stronger age restrictions, deletion of systems created using children’s data, limits on notifications and infinite scrolling, and changes to algorithms so that the well-being of young users is given greater importance than simply maximising engagement.