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

Meta is accused of intentionally targeting and exploiting children on its social media platforms, according to a landmark federal trial in California. Four US states—California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey—are seeking around $200 billion in damages and demanding significant changes to Meta's core platforms. The lawsuit claims Meta misled the public about the safety of Instagram and Facebook and deliberately designed the apps to be addictive for minors.

The states are also alleging privacy violations for routinely collecting data on children under 13 without parental consent.

Opening statements were made on Tuesday in the federal court in Oakland, California. Megan O'Neill, a deputy attorney general for California, emphasized the company's knowledge of children's psychological vulnerabilities, including their sensitivity to social feedback and still-developing impulse control. The states argue that Meta's research shows a clear link between social media use and adverse effects on adolescents' well-being.

Meta's attorney, Paul Schmidt, countered that there is no definitive evidence connecting social media use to poor mental health in teens and that the company has implemented tools to assist users experiencing negative experiences on its apps. Former Meta employee and expert witness Arturo Bejar testified, stating that during Facebook's early stages, the primary focus was on rapid product delivery, often neglecting safety and security considerations.

The trial, described as "social media's big tobacco moment," is expected to last six to eight weeks, with a verdict anticipated by October, featuring testimony from Meta's founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg.