Meta trial that could reshape Facebook, Instagram gets underway

A group of states, led by Colorado, California, New Jersey and Kentucky, have filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms alleging that Facebook and Instagram were designed in ways that harm young users' mental health. The trial, which begins on Tuesday in a federal court in California, could reshape the future of the popular apps.

The four-state coalition will present their opening statements before an eight-member jury serving in an advisory role for U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. The trial will examine Meta's alleged design to addict children and teens to the platforms, as well as the states' accusations that Meta misled consumers about the safety of Facebook and Instagram for young users.

Meta's attorneys are expected to argue that the company has made significant efforts to keep kids safe online, claiming that they have not made any misleading statements regarding safety. They also argue that the states have not presented any evidence of actual harm to their residents. Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri are expected to testify during the multi-week trial.

The potential damages could be as high as $1.4 trillion, nearly reaching Meta's market cap of $1.5 trillion. This trial marks the most significant test yet of youth social media litigation, coming amid a global reckoning over social media's impact on young users.