Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is facing a major federal trial over allegations that its social media platforms were deliberately designed to keep children and teenagers engaged while failing to adequately protect them from potential harm. Opening arguments are set to begin Tuesday in federal court in Oakland, California.
The case was brought by attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey as part of a broader lawsuit originally filed in 2023 by 29 states. The plaintiffs accuse Meta of contributing to the youth mental health crisis through features they say encourage excessive and addictive use of Facebook and Instagram.
The states also allege that Meta illegally collected personal information from children under 13 without obtaining parental consent, potentially violating federal privacy protections.
Prosecutors are seeking financial damages as well as changes to how Meta operates its platforms. The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks and could have significant implications for the future design and regulation of social media platforms used by young people.
Meta has rejected the allegations and says it has invested heavily in safety measures for teenagers. The company maintains that it has worked with parents, experts and law enforcement to improve protections for young users.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other senior executives are expected to testify during the proceedings, putting the company’s approach to youth safety and product design under intense scrutiny.
The trial comes amid a growing wave of lawsuits against major technology companies, including TikTok, Snap and YouTube, over allegations involving youth mental health, online safety and the collection of children’s data.
The outcome of the case could extend beyond Meta, potentially influencing how regulators, lawmakers and courts address the responsibilities of social media companies toward children and teenagers.
Swifteradio.com