Meta hooked children on Facebook and Instagram, court hears
Meta argued social media addiction does not exist, as a trial stemming from a major lawsuit brought by US states got under way.
A court has heard allegations that Meta intentionally lured a generation of children onto Facebook and Instagram, marking the start of the company's largest legal challenge yet. The six-week trial in Oakland, California pits lawyers representing several US states against Meta's own legal team. California's attorneys argue Meta discovered millions of 11 and 12-year-old users on Instagram and did little to prevent their access.
Meta's representatives contend the number is closer to 100,000 and dispute the existence of social media addiction. The trial stems from a 2023 lawsuit filed by 29 states, including California and New York, alleging multiple violations of federal and state privacy laws concerning children. The states are seeking billions in damages and demanding changes to Meta's platforms, such as eliminating "likes" and the "infinite scroll" feature on Instagram and Facebook.
The trial opened with a clash of testimony and evidence. Meta's lawyer addressed a report showing that one in five teens felt worse after using Instagram, while 41% reported feeling better and another 41% found no impact. He pointed out that only a small fraction of users were under 13, and that the platform's privacy laws prevent it from tracking underage users.
Meta's lawyer argued that social media addiction is not a proven concept, citing statements from CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri. The state attorney countered by highlighting internal Meta documents, including research suggesting that Instagram creates an "addict's narrative" for young users, and features designed to increase screen time are detrimental to well-being.
Despite acknowledging potential negative impacts, the state argues Meta targeted young users and insisted its platforms were safe for children, contradicting its public statements that prioritize safety over profits.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Technology's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
