A federal trial in California has begun against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. Four states including California, Colorado, New Jersey, and Kentucky allege that the tech giant knowingly designed its platforms to addict children and harvest their data without consent. The prosecution contends that these design choices contribute to a wider youth mental health crisis, arguing that the company prioritized engagement and data collection over user safety.
During opening statements, deputy California attorney general Megan O’Neill stated that Meta created products designed to hook young users while obscuring the truth about these impacts. The lawsuit stems from a broader coalition of 29 states that filed complaints in 2023. While Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers presides over the case, an eight-person advisory jury is present to hear the arguments. The states seek billions of dollars in damages along with mandated changes to platform operations.
Meta maintains that the claims are without merit. Defense attorney Paul Schmidt argued that there is no consensus linking social media use to poor health outcomes in adolescents. The company highlighted its implementation of Instagram Teen Accounts and parental controls as evidence of its commitment to safety. A company spokesperson described the legal action as a pursuit of an excessive financial payout rather than an effort based in fact.
Former Meta safety engineer Arturo Bejar took the stand as the first witness for the prosecution. Bejar testified that the internal company culture often overlooked safety considerations during the rollout of new product features like Reels. He suggested that the company maintained a permissive attitude toward monitoring underage users.
This trial is expected to continue for six weeks, with testimony from CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri anticipated in the coming days. Investors responded to the start of the proceedings with Meta shares closing down 4.4 percent on Tuesday. The outcome of this case carries significant financial and operational stakes for the company, as it continues to face a wave of litigation regarding its impact on minors.