Meta Faces US Trial Over Allegations Its Platforms Are Addictive to Children

CALIFORNIA, United States — Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has gone on trial in the United States over allegations that it deliberately designed its social media platforms to be addictive to children and teenagers.

The case, brought by four US states, began Tuesday in a federal court in California and is expected to last several weeks.

California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey accuse Meta of designing its products in ways that encourage young users to spend excessive amounts of time on its platforms while collecting their personal data and failing to adequately protect their safety and privacy.

An eight-member jury has been selected for the trial, but it will serve only in an advisory capacity. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will ultimately decide the case.

In opening arguments, Megan O'Neill, a deputy California attorney general, accused Meta of deliberately designing its platforms to keep users engaged for as long as possible.

She said the company had created products designed to “hook the users, hold them for as long as they can, harvest their data, and then hide the truth from the public”.

The strategy, she argued, worked “especially well for kids”.

The case is part of a broader legal battle between US authorities and major technology companies over the impact of social media on children and teenagers.

California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey were among 29 states that sued Meta in 2023, accusing the company of harming young users and failing to adequately protect children's safety and privacy.

The remaining 25 states are expected to pursue separate trials related to the allegations at a later date.

The lawsuit comes amid growing scrutiny in the United States over the design of social media platforms and the potential effects of prolonged use on young people.

State authorities have increasingly challenged technology companies over whether features such as personalised recommendations, notifications and other engagement tools are designed to keep users online for extended periods.

Meta has faced a series of legal and regulatory challenges over its handling of children's data and online safety. The company has previously said it has invested heavily in measures aimed at protecting young people across its platforms.

The trial could have wider implications for the technology industry, particularly if the court finds that design choices intended to maximise user engagement contributed to harm among children.

It could also influence how US authorities approach the regulation of social media companies and their responsibilities toward younger users.

The proceedings are being closely watched as governments and lawmakers in the United States and elsewhere consider tougher rules for protecting children online.

The states bringing the case are seeking to hold Meta accountable for what they describe as deliberate design choices that prioritised user engagement over the wellbeing of young people.

Meta's legal response is expected to play a central role in determining whether the company can be held responsible for the alleged effects of its platforms on children and teenagers.