Meta trial over social media harm to children begins

A multi-state legal battle is set to commence in California on Tuesday, aiming to hold Meta accountable for alleged negative impacts its social media platforms have on children. Four US states - California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey - are asserting that Meta deceived the public regarding the safety of Instagram and Facebook, and intentionally engineered the apps to be addictive for minors.

Additionally, these states claim Meta infringes upon privacy laws by gathering data from children under 13 without parental consent. The states are pursuing approximately $200 billion in damages, along with substantial platform changes. This case is part of a coalition of 29 states that filed a lawsuit against Meta in 2023 for allegedly incorporating addictive features into their apps.

The trial will commence in a federal court in Oakland, near San Francisco, with opening statements scheduled for Tuesday. Meta's founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, is expected to testify, along with former Meta employee and expert witness, Arturo Bejar, despite the company's attempts to prevent his testimony. The state lawyers plan to question Bejar about Meta's safety practices and the company's alleged misrepresentation of its knowledge.

An advisory jury of eight people will make the final decision, but Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers holds the ultimate authority. Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman described the case as "the largest consumer protection lawsuit in American history," stating that the jury will be shown how Meta concealed information about the harm its products cause young people, as profit was prioritized over their well-being.

Meta, however, vehemently denies the allegations, expressing pride in their efforts to protect teenagers on their platforms and their commitment to safety measures. The trial is projected to last six to eight weeks, with a verdict anticipated by October.