One of the most significant legal challenges ever faced by Meta has begun in California. A bipartisan coalition of 29 US states is accusing Mark Zuckerberg’s company of designing Facebook and Instagram with features that allegedly encourage addictive use among children and teenagers, harm their mental health and improperly collect minors’ personal data. Meta strongly denies the claims.
The trial is underway in Oakland, California, and could have major consequences for two of the world’s most widely used social media platforms.
California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are leading the legal action, which grew out of a multi-state investigation launched into the effects of Facebook and Instagram on young users.
States accuse Meta of “hooking” young users
In opening arguments, California deputy attorney-general Megan O’Neill told the jury that Meta’s business model was built around keeping users engaged for as long as possible, collecting their data and maximising attention.
The states allege that this model was particularly effective — and potentially harmful — when applied to children and teenagers.
Their case argues that features used by Facebook and Instagram were designed in ways that encouraged compulsive use and contributed to problems including anxiety, depression and other mental-health harms.
The states also allege violations of federal law involving the collection and use of children’s personal data.
Meta rejects the allegations
Meta denies misleading users about the safety of its platforms and argues that the states have failed to prove that residents were harmed by the company’s products.
The company says it has invested heavily in protections for teenagers and has introduced numerous safety measures over the years.
Meta also argues that issues such as age verification are challenges faced by the entire technology industry, rather than problems unique to Facebook or Instagram.
The trial is expected to last about six weeks, with both Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri expected to testify.
Infinite scroll and age restrictions under scrutiny
The case is not only about financial penalties.
The states are also seeking major changes to how Meta’s platforms operate.
Proposals include tougher age restrictions and changes to features such as infinite scroll, which allows users to continue viewing content without reaching a natural stopping point.
An eight-person jury will deliver an advisory verdict, while US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will ultimately determine Meta’s liability and any penalties or changes imposed on the company.
Billions of dollars potentially at stake
The financial consequences could also be enormous.
Meta has argued that penalties under the states’ broadest interpretation could potentially reach extraordinary levels.
Attorneys-general have not yet specified a final amount, but previous discussions have suggested penalties could run into the hundreds of billions of dollars.
However, the wider significance of the case may go well beyond money.
A ruling against Meta could force structural changes to Facebook and Instagram and influence thousands of other lawsuits targeting major social media companies.
Case follows Frances Haugen revelations
The legal action follows years of growing scrutiny of social media’s impact on young people.
Former Meta employee and whistleblower Frances Haugen told the US Senate in 2021 that the company knew some of its products could harm young users and had information about ways to make them safer.
Her testimony helped intensify investigations into Instagram and Facebook and contributed to broader political pressure on large technology platforms.
Meta, along with companies behind TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube, now faces thousands of lawsuits from states, school districts, local governments and individuals.
A test for the future of social media
The California trial is widely seen as one of the biggest legal tests yet of how far social media companies can go in designing products to maximise engagement among young users.
At stake is not only Meta’s liability.
The case raises a much broader question: how should platforms balance engagement and profit when many of their users are children and teenagers?
The answer could ultimately change the way Facebook and Instagram are designed — and potentially reshape the wider social media industry.
