Meta Platforms has denied allegations made by U.S. states that it deliberately aimed to ensnare children into using its Facebook and Instagram platforms for profit as a pivotal trial began on Tuesday. A bipartisan coalition of 29 U.S. states has filed a lawsuit against Meta, seeking potentially significant financial penalties and alterations to Meta’s business practices.
California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, as the lead states, have accused Meta of intentionally designing Facebook and Instagram to engage young users, leading to increased anxiety, depression, and even instances of suicide. The states have also accused Meta of breaching federal laws by inappropriately collecting and utilizing children’s personal information.
The trial taking place in Oakland, California, is being described by experts as a significant legal examination of the impact of social media on young individuals. Meta, alongside other social media giants like Snap, TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, and YouTube’s parent company Alphabet, is facing numerous lawsuits from states, municipalities, school districts, and individuals concerning the potential harm caused to young users by their products.
During the trial’s opening statements, Megan O’Neill, a deputy attorney general for California, asserted that Meta’s business strategy revolved around engaging users, retaining them for as long as possible, harvesting their data, and concealing the truth from the public. She highlighted that this strategy was particularly effective with children, emphasizing Meta’s need for young users and the necessity to reassure individuals concerned about children’s safety.
In response, Meta’s lawyer, Paul Schmidt, acknowledged that some social media users encounter challenges, but cited research indicating no clear correlation between adolescents’ social media usage and their well-being. Schmidt further emphasized that Meta’s co-founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, shared the company’s commitment to enhancing its services rather than endangering its users.
The trial jury is expected to provide an advisory verdict that the presiding U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will consider. If Meta is found liable, Judge Rogers could impose civil penalties and mandate adjustments to the operations of Facebook and Instagram. Meta has disclosed that potential penalties could reach up to $1.4 trillion, a figure close to the company’s market value based in Menlo Park, California.
The attorneys general of California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey have proposed reforms for Meta, including the elimination of features such as likes and infinite scroll on Facebook and Instagram, setting time limits for younger users, and enforcing restrictions to prevent children under 13 from accessing the platforms.
Furthermore, the trial witnessed the testimony of Arturo Bejar, a former Meta safety engineer, who highlighted that Meta was aware of the ineffectiveness of its child safety tools. Bejar revealed that Meta adopted a “move fast and break things” approach and neglected to monitor the online presence of children under 13 adequately. Testimonies from Meta executives, including Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, are anticipated during the ongoing trial, which is scheduled to last six weeks.
Critics of Meta, including individuals who have experienced personal tragedies related to social media use, gathered outside the courthouse as the trial commenced. Mary Rodee, whose 15-year-old son died by suicide after facing online victimization, condemned Meta’s practices, emphasizing the need for accountability in protecting children from online harms.
The legal battle against Meta began in 2023, following revelations by whistleblower Frances Haugen regarding Meta’s alleged knowledge of the risks posed by its platforms to children. Recent court rulings and ongoing lawsuits underscore the growing scrutiny faced by Meta over its handling of youth safety and the potential repercussions of its platform designs.