Meta meets its own 'tobacco' moment as jury selection kicks off trial

Jury selection commenced in a California courtroom on Wednesday, where Meta, the owner of Instagram and Facebook, faces allegations of causing harm to children. This trial is being labeled as social media's "big tobacco moment" by experts. Federal Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers and lawyers from both sides questioned potential jurors about their views on social media and Meta, including personal usage, their children's usage, and opinions on social media's impact on mental health.

Some jurors expressed views that social media contributes to mental health issues, with one comparing the serotonin boost from "doomscrolling" to using cocaine. Eight jurors were selected on Wednesday afternoon to serve as an advisory body, with the judge making the final decision. Eight states, including California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, filed a lawsuit against Meta in 2023 for allegedly designing addictive features for children and violating state laws.

Meta firmly denies the allegations and is confident that the evidence will demonstrate its commitment to young people's well-being. This case could be one of the most consequential legal battles involving social media, akin to the tobacco industry trials in the 1990s. If Meta loses, it could face significant financial penalties and mandatory changes to its apps, potentially causing severe reputational damage.