Meta Platforms has denied claims by U.S. states that it deliberately aimed to get children addicted to its Facebook and Instagram platforms for profit as a pivotal trial began on Tuesday. A group of 29 states from both sides of the political spectrum is suing Meta, seeking substantial penalties and alterations to Meta’s business operations.
California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, the primary states leading the charge, accused Meta of engineering Facebook and Instagram to attract young users, leading to mental health issues and even suicide, while deceiving consumers about the safety of the platforms. All 29 states alleged that Meta breached federal laws by improperly gathering and utilizing children’s personal data.
The trial taking place in Oakland, California, is seen as a significant legal examination of the impact of social media on young individuals. Meta, along with other social media giants like Snap, TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, and Alphabet, which owns YouTube, is facing numerous lawsuits from states, municipalities, school districts, and individuals questioning the potential harm their products cause to young users.
During the trial’s opening statements, Megan O’Neill, a deputy attorney general for California, asserted that Meta’s business strategy was centered on engaging users, extracting their data, and concealing the truth from the public. She emphasized that Meta particularly targeted children and needed to assure those concerned about child safety that measures were in place.
In response, Meta’s attorney, Paul Schmidt, acknowledged that some social media users encounter challenges but argued that there was no definitive link between adolescents’ social media usage and their well-being. He highlighted Meta’s commitment, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, to improving services rather than endangering users.
The trial jury is expected to provide a non-binding advisory verdict, with U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ultimately determining Meta’s accountability. Should Meta be found liable, civil penalties and alterations to Facebook and Instagram could be imposed, potentially amounting to $1.4 trillion US, close to Meta’s market value in Menlo Park, California.
California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey are advocating for substantial changes to Facebook and Instagram, including removing features like likes and infinite scrolling, implementing time restrictions for younger users, and enforcing measures to keep children under 13 off the platforms.
The trial included the testimony of Arturo Bejar, a former Meta safety engineer, who highlighted Meta’s disregard for child safety tools and its rushed approach to product deployment. Bejar noted the company’s mentality of “move fast and break things” and its lax monitoring of children under 13 online.
Critics of Meta gathered outside the courthouse as the trial commenced, with individuals like Mary Rodee sharing personal stories of tragedy linked to social media platforms. Rodee’s son’s unfortunate experience underscored concerns about corporate responsibility and child protection.
The lawsuit against Meta, initiated in 2023 following whistleblower Frances Haugen’s revelations, signifies a broader scrutiny of social media’s impact on young users. Recent legal actions and the ongoing trial underscore the growing scrutiny and demands for accountability within the tech industry.
