Meta trial over social media harm to children begins

A federal court in California has commenced a landmark trial alleging that Meta intentionally exploited and harmed children through its social media platforms, Instagram and Facebook. Four US states – California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey – are accusing Meta of misleading the public about the safety of its apps and exploiting minors' vulnerabilities.

The states seek approximately $200 billion in damages and significant changes to Meta's platforms. Fourteen US states, including the four, are part of a coalition suing the company. During opening statements on Tuesday, California Deputy Attorney General Megan O'Neill argued that Meta knew about children's brains and how they seek rewards, value social feedback, and still develop impulse control.

She also alleged that Meta studied these vulnerabilities and considered changing its Instagram platform to exploit them. Facebook's attorney, Paul Schmidt, countered that while some social media users face struggles, there is no clear association between adolescents' social media use and their well-being. He stated that Meta has tried to develop tools to help users experiencing negative experiences on its apps.

Former Meta employee and expert witness Arturo Bejar testified that Meta's initial goal was to get features into users' hands quickly, often prioritizing speed over safety or security. The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks, with a verdict anticipated by October.