{
  "id": 1794475,
  "title": "States allege Meta hooked kids on social media, misled public on risks in high-profile trial",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/states-allege-meta-hooked-kids-on-social-media-misled-public-on-risks",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T20:30:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hill",
    "slug": "the-hill",
    "url": "https://thehill.com/policy/technology/6036324-meta-kids-safety-trial-california/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "A trial is underway in California, with four US states - California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey - suing Meta, accusing the tech giant of hooking young users on its social media sites and misleading the public about the risks. The states are part of a coalition of 29 states suing the company.\n\nThe case could have broader effects as it is being brought by states, not individuals. The trial may determine the future of social media in the US, with a massive damages award at stake.\n\nThe states are seeking billions of dollars in damages for social media harms to children, according to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. The trial is being presided over by Federal judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of the US District Court for the Northern District of California.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Sky News",
        "title": "Meta goes on trial over child social media addiction and privacy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/meta-goes-on-trial-over-child-social-media-addiction-and-privacy",
        "published": "2026-08-18T06:05:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business of Fashion",
        "title": "Landmark Social Media Trial Begins That Could Cost Meta $1.4 Trillion",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/landmark-social-media-trial-begins-that-could-cost-meta-1-4-trillion",
        "published": "2026-08-18T08:59:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Quartz",
        "title": "Meta's biggest social media addiction trial opens, with 29 states seeking trillions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/metas-biggest-social-media-addiction-trial-opens-with-29-states",
        "published": "2026-08-18T18:20:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}