Meta Platforms has denied allegations made by U.S. states that it purposely aimed to get children addicted to its Facebook and Instagram platforms for profit as a significant trial commenced on Tuesday. A bipartisan coalition of 29 U.S. states filed a lawsuit against Meta, seeking significant penalties and alterations to Meta’s business practices.
The lead states in the lawsuit, including California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, accused Meta of intentionally designing Facebook and Instagram to engage young users, leading to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and suicide, while also deceiving consumers about the safety of the platforms. They claimed that Meta violated federal laws by improperly collecting and utilizing children’s personal data.
The trial, held in Oakland, California, is considered a crucial legal examination of the impact of social media on young users. Meta, along with other social media giants such as Snap, TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, and YouTube’s parent company Alphabet, are facing numerous lawsuits from various entities over the alleged harmful effects of their products on young users.
Megan O’Neill, a deputy attorney general for California, informed the jury that Meta’s business strategy was centered around engaging and retaining users, collecting their data, and concealing the truth from the public. She emphasized that Meta specifically targeted children and reassured those concerned about child safety.
Meta’s attorney, Paul Schmidt, acknowledged that some social media users face challenges but highlighted that there was no clear evidence linking adolescents’ social media use to a decline in well-being. He reiterated that Meta, including its CEO Mark Zuckerberg, aimed to enhance services rather than endanger users.
The judge overseeing the trial could mandate changes to Instagram and Facebook based on the jury’s advisory verdict. If Meta is found liable, civil penalties and modifications to the platforms could be enforced. Meta estimated potential penalties as high as $1.4 trillion, nearly equivalent to its market value.
The states involved in the lawsuit proposed reforms for Facebook and Instagram, such as eliminating features like likes and infinite scrolling, imposing time limits for young users, and enforcing age restrictions to safeguard children online.
The trial began with the testimony of Arturo Bejar, a former Meta safety engineer, who criticized Meta’s approach to child safety. Bejar alleged that Meta failed to prioritize safety in its products and adopted a negligent attitude towards monitoring children under 13 online.
Critics of Meta gathered outside the courthouse as the trial commenced, with some sharing personal stories of harm caused by social media platforms. Mary Rodee, whose son died by suicide after negative experiences on Facebook, criticized Meta’s approach to protecting children.
The lawsuit against Meta was initiated in 2023 following whistleblower Frances Haugen’s revelations about the company’s knowledge of the risks posed to children by its products. Recent legal actions, including a significant financial penalty imposed by a New Mexico court, highlight the growing concerns over social media platforms’ impact on young users.