US: Meta hooked children, prosecutors say, as trial over social media harm begins

US federal court commenced a landmark trial on Tuesday, seeking to hold Meta accountable for alleged harm caused to children through its social media platforms, Instagram and Facebook. Four US states – California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey – contend the company deceived the public about the safety of its apps and deliberately engineered them to be addictive for minors.

The states are also accusing Meta of breaching privacy laws by collecting data on children under 13 without parental consent, seeking around $200 billion in damages and significant platform changes. The trial, opening in Oakland, draws parallels to the 1990s tobacco industry trials where companies were held responsible for selling a harmful product.

Deputy California Attorney General Megan O'Neill outlined the case, stating Meta had knowledge of children's brain vulnerabilities, such as seeking rewards and sensitivity to social feedback, and had researched ways to exploit these weaknesses. Meta's attorney, Paul Schmidt, countered that while some social media users experience difficulties, research fails to establish a clear link between social media use and adolescents' well-being.

He also argued that Meta had attempted to develop tools to assist users facing negative experiences on its platforms. Former Meta employee and expert witness Arturo Bejar testified, emphasizing that during Facebook's early stages, the primary focus was rapid deployment, often prioritizing speed over safety and security. The trial, expected to last six to eight weeks, involves Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg as a key witness, aiming to reach a verdict by October.