Meta Faces Major US Trial Over Alleged Social Media Addiction Among Children

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is facing a major legal challenge in the United States over allegations that its social media platforms were deliberately designed to addict children and teenagers. A key phase of the case is set to begin in federal court this week, with legal experts comparing it to the landmark lawsuits against the tobacco industry in the 1990s.

The lawsuit was originally filed in 2023 by a coalition of US states, alleging that Facebook and Instagram incorporate features specifically designed to keep young users engaged for extended periods, fostering addictive behavior.

To present the case on behalf of the coalition of 29 states, California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey were selected to lead the litigation.

State attorneys general aim to demonstrate that Meta knowingly designed its platforms in ways that could harm children while encouraging them to repeatedly return and spend more time on the apps.

Meta has strongly denied the allegations. A company spokesperson said the trial would highlight the firm's longstanding efforts to protect young users, arguing that Meta has worked with parents, experts, and law enforcement agencies to improve online safety for teenagers.

Vincent Joralemon, Director of the Life Sciences Law and Policy Center at the University of California, Berkeley, said the case bears striking similarities to the government's legal battle against the tobacco industry decades ago. He noted that tobacco companies were accused of minimizing or concealing the health risks of smoking despite extensive scientific evidence.

In 1998, 46 US states reached a historic settlement with the four largest tobacco companies, resulting in billions of dollars in financial penalties and strict restrictions on marketing tobacco products to children.

In the Meta case, the plaintiff states are seeking not only financial penalties but also significant changes to the design and operation of Facebook and Instagram. The trial could also require testimony from Meta founder and Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg and other senior executives.

According to Nora Freeman Engstrom, a law professor at Stanford University, the lawsuit could mark the beginning of broader legal and public accountability for Meta. She said one of the central issues will be the gap between what the company allegedly knew internally about the risks to young users and what it disclosed publicly.

Meta is also facing several related lawsuits across the United States. In May, Meta, Snap, TikTok, and YouTube reached a $27 million settlement with a Kentucky school district over claims involving the impact of social media on students. Around the same time, a US appeals court allowed more than 3,000 additional lawsuits against Meta, Google, Snap, and TikTok to proceed.

Legal experts believe the litigation over social media's impact on children could continue for years. Beyond potential financial penalties, the outcome of the case may significantly influence Meta's reputation and could lead to substantial changes in how Facebook and Instagram are designed for younger users.