Social media on trial as $200bn case against Facebook and Instagram begins

A major trial involving 29 US states has commenced against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, claiming the platforms were designed to be addictive and targeted at children. This follows a previous Los Angeles jury ruling that found Meta liable for deliberately designing an addictive product that negatively impacted a young claimant's mental health, awarding the victim $6 million.

In addition, Meta paid a total of $942 million in a separate New Mexico trial focusing on child sexual exploitation on its platforms. The attorneys general are seeking $200 billion in damages, roughly equivalent to the company's annual revenue. Meta argues that the estimated damages are unreasonable and that changes to the algorithm could significantly reduce engagement and hinder its ability to advertise.

While some predict this could be "the end of social media as we know it," others believe the impact may be less severe, citing the potential for significant financial consequences rather than the company's overall viability.