Meta Platforms has denied allegations made by a group of 29 U.S. states suggesting that the company purposely aimed to make children addicted to its social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram, for financial gain. The trial, which commenced on Tuesday, could potentially have significant implications for these widely-used apps.
The states, represented by a bipartisan coalition, are seeking substantial financial penalties from Meta, amounting to tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars, and are also pushing for changes in Meta’s business practices. The lead states, including California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, have accused Meta of intentionally designing Facebook and Instagram to engage young users in ways that contribute to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. Furthermore, all 29 states have alleged that Meta violated federal laws by improperly collecting and utilizing children’s personal data.
The ongoing trial in an Oakland, California federal court is being closely watched as a significant legal test of the impact of social media on young users. Meta, along with other major social media companies like Snap, TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, and YouTube’s parent company Alphabet, faces numerous legal challenges from various entities over concerns about the harm their platforms may cause to young users.
During the trial’s opening statements, Megan O’Neill, a deputy attorney general for California, asserted that Meta’s business strategy revolved around enticing users, keeping them engaged for extended periods, gathering their data, and concealing the truth from the public. She emphasized that this strategy was particularly effective with children, highlighting Meta’s need for young users and the company’s obligation to assure their safety.
In response to these accusations, Meta’s lawyer, Paul Schmidt, acknowledged the challenges some social media users face but cited research indicating no definitive link between adolescents’ social media usage and their overall well-being. Schmidt emphasized that Meta’s co-founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, shared the company’s commitment to enhancing its services rather than endangering users.
The trial proceedings involve a jury that is expected to deliver an advisory verdict that could influence the final decision of U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers regarding Meta’s culpability. If Meta is found liable, Judge Rogers could impose civil penalties and mandate alterations to Facebook and Instagram, potentially resulting in penalties as high as $1.4 trillion, close to Meta’s market value.
The attorneys general representing the states have proposed various changes they want to see implemented on Facebook and Instagram, including the elimination of features like likes and infinite scrolling, setting time constraints for younger users, and enforcing measures to prevent children under 13 from accessing the platforms.
The trial has already seen the testimony of former Meta safety engineer Arturo Bejar, who has been critical of Meta’s approach to child safety. Bejar highlighted Meta’s past disregard for safety considerations when deploying products, such as Reels short-form videos, and its lack of vigilance in monitoring the online activities of children under 13.
As the trial progresses, more testimony is expected from key figures within Meta, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri. The trial, scheduled to last six weeks, has garnered attention from critics of Meta, who have expressed concerns about the impact of social media on vulnerable users.
Recent legal actions against Meta, including the trial in California and a separate case in New Mexico, highlight the growing scrutiny faced by tech giants over their platforms’ effects on users, particularly young individuals. Tennessee’s lawsuit against Meta, mirroring similar concerns, is currently undergoing trial proceedings in Nashville.