Meta Goes to Trial Over Claims of Addictive Social Media Use Among Children -

Opening arguments begin Tuesday in a major US federal trial against Meta, with the social media giant accused of deliberately designing Facebook and Instagram features to keep children engaged and potentially contribute to addictive use.

A coalition of 29 states is seeking up to $200 billion in penalties, making the case one of the most significant legal challenges yet faced by the social media industry over its impact on young users.

The lawsuit has been described by some experts as social media’s “big tobacco moment”, drawing comparisons with past legal battles against tobacco companies over products alleged to have caused widespread harm.

Stanford law professor Nora Freeman Engstrom told AFP that the case could mark the beginning of a wider reckoning for Meta. A ruling against the company could force it to make substantial changes to how its platforms operate, potentially affecting features used by millions of people worldwide.

Meta has rejected the allegations, saying it has worked with parents, experts and law enforcement agencies to develop safeguards designed to protect young users.

Meta founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg is among the high-profile witnesses expected to testify during the trial, along with Instagram head Adam Mosseri.

The case stems from a lawsuit filed in 2023 by 29 states, with California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey representing the coalition in the federal proceedings.

The states have brought three main allegations against Meta. They claim the company misled the public about the potential risks its platforms posed to children, deliberately developed features that encouraged young users to remain engaged and collected information from children under 13 without obtaining parental consent.

The trial is being closely watched as other major technology companies face similar legal challenges. TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube are also facing lawsuits and scrutiny over allegations that their platforms can negatively affect young people’s mental health.

The outcome could have wider implications for how social media companies design and market their platforms to children and teenagers, while potentially influencing future regulations and lawsuits targeting the industry. – ERMD

READ MORE