Meta faces California trial over claims Facebook and Instagram hooked children

The Big Picture

A trial challenging Meta’s design of Facebook and Instagram began Tuesday in Oakland, California, bringing one of the most consequential government cases yet over the effect of social media on children.

The states allege Meta deliberately built its platforms to keep minors using them through features including infinite scroll, photo filters, like buttons and algorithms that encourage compulsive use. They contend that Meta knew prolonged use could harm teenagers’ mental health but minimized or concealed those concerns in public statements.

Meta denies the allegations. Its lawyers say the states have selected internal material out of context, and argue that social-media addiction does not exist, though the company acknowledges that some people can struggle with how they use social media.

What Happened

California Deputy Attorney General Megan O’Neill opened the states’ case by describing what she said was Meta’s business model: “Hook the users; hold them for as long as they can; harvest their data; hide the truth from the public when making public statements.”

O’Neill said the case would draw heavily on Meta’s internal research, employee emails and chat logs. The states argue those documents conflict with the company’s public assurances about safety for children and teenagers.

Among the material cited in court was an internal Instagram research document stating that “Teens have an addict’s narrative about use,” according to the BBC. O’Neill also pointed to Meta research finding that features intended to increase time spent on its products could be at odds with users’ well-being, the BBC reported.

NPR reported that O’Neill cited a Meta study of tweens, approximately ages 10 to 12, titled “Long Term Retention: The Young Ones Are The Best Ones.” The states say the study found that users who joined earlier were more likely to remain on the platforms and generate revenue.

What Each Side Is Saying

The states are accusing Meta of designing products that held young users’ attention for longer because increased engagement boosted revenue. They also accuse the company of violating the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act by collecting personal data from users younger than 13 without parental consent.

Meta lawyer Paul Schmidt challenged the states’ reading of the company’s internal research. He addressed a document stating that one in five teens said Instagram made them feel worse, saying it also found that 41% said Instagram made them feel better and another 41% said it had no effect, according to the BBC.

Schmidt also argued that privacy rules limited Meta’s ability to retain and use data needed to identify every underage user effectively. Meta told NPR that it has developed protections for teens, including enhanced privacy settings and a one-hour Instagram timer intended to remind users to leave the app.

In opening arguments, Schmidt said Meta recognized that people can struggle with social-media use and had tried to address those problems. But he argued that evidence does not establish that addiction to social media is possible.

Why It Matters

The trial focuses on product design rather than on content posted by users. That distinction could be significant because social-media companies have often invoked First Amendment protections and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act in litigation over user-generated content, NPR reported.

The states are seeking financial penalties and changes to Meta’s products. The BBC reported that the broader lawsuit seeks billions of dollars and changes including ending like counts and infinite scroll. NPR reported that an initial estimate placed potential penalties as high as $1.4 trillion.

The case stems from a 2023 lawsuit filed by 29 states, including California and New York, according to the BBC. NPR described the trial now underway as involving California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey. The differing descriptions indicate that the broader litigation and the state group represented in this trial may not be identical.

What Happens Next

The Oakland jury is expected to hear the case for six weeks, the BBC reported. NPR said the proceeding is being heard by an eight-member advisory jury.

The outcome could add to recent legal pressure on Meta. NPR reported that a Los Angeles jury in March found Meta and Google responsible for a young woman’s depression and anxiety linked to compulsive social-media use as a child, awarding $6 million in damages. In a separate case, NPR reported, a New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million and implement safety measures after a jury found the company failed to protect young users from child sexual exploitation.