A major legal battle has started in Oakland, California, where Meta Platforms faces allegations from 29 US states of intentionally designing Facebook and Instagram to hook children, fueling anxiety and depression while misleading users about platform safety.
- 29 states allege Meta targeted children to boost engagement
- Claims include harm to youth mental health and data misuse
- Potential penalties could reach hundreds of billions of dollars
What happened
A bipartisan coalition of 29 US states initiated a civil trial against Meta Platforms, accusing the company of deliberately crafting Facebook and Instagram features to addict young users. Central to the allegations is that Meta exploited minors by designing app elements like the infinite scroll to increase engagement time, using internal data to systematically target children and harvest their personal information without proper protections.
The trial opened with California’s deputy attorney general asserting that Meta prioritized user addiction over child safety, using tactics that increased risks of anxiety, depression, and even suicide among youth. Meta executives including CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri are expected to testify, defending their company’s record and denying wrongdoing as the case unfolds in federal court.
Why it matters
This lawsuit represents one of the most consequential legal challenges against a major social media company related to the impact of digital platforms on minors. The stakes are monumental, with the states seeking reforms that could reshape industry practices, including added age restrictions and removal of features linked to addictive behavior.
Financially, penalties could soar into the tens or hundreds of billions of dollars—potentially affecting Meta's valuation and operational strategy. The case highlights growing scrutiny worldwide over how technology firms manage youth engagement, data privacy, and platform safety amid evidence of social media’s role in mental health crises.
What to watch next
Key developments will include testimony from senior Meta officials and internal documents presented to the jury, shedding light on company knowledge and intent regarding child users. The jury will issue an advisory verdict, but the final ruling and sanctions will be decided by US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who could impose sweeping changes or large fines.
Regulators and industry watchers will closely track whether the court mandates specific business model reforms such as ending the infinite scroll or enforcing stricter age verification, which could set precedents for future regulation of social media platforms and corporate accountability around youth protection.