Meta rejects claims it sought to hook children to Facebook, Instagram

A bipartisan group of 29 US states has sued Meta Platforms, accusing the company of intentionally designing its Facebook and Instagram platforms to addict children, leading to anxiety, depression, and even suicide. The states are seeking potentially billions of dollars in penalties and changes to Meta's business practices. The trial, which began with opening statements on Tuesday, is seen as a major legal test of social media's impact on young users.

Social media giants including Snap, TikTok, and YouTube parent Alphabet are also facing numerous lawsuits over alleged harm to young users. Meta's defense argues that while social media can cause struggles for some users, research does not establish a clear link between social media use and poor well-being. The company's co-founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, is said to share the company's desire to improve its services.

Jurors are expected to issue an advisory verdict, but US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will ultimately determine Meta's liability, which could result in penalties as high as $1.4 trillion.