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Meta in court over child social media addiction
🇵🇰 Pakistan /Culture & Society

Meta in court over child social media addiction

From Dawn · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Meta faces a federal trial accused of deliberately making Instagram and Facebook addictive to children.
  • A coalition of states seeks $200 billion in penalties, comparing the case to social media's "big tobacco moment."
  • Meta denies the allegations, stating it has implemented safeguards for children, while Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify.

Meta, the social media giant, is now in federal court facing accusations that it intentionally designed Instagram and Facebook to be addictive for young users. A coalition of states is seeking a staggering $200 billion in penalties, framing the trial as social media's equivalent of the "big tobacco moment."

Experts and plaintiffs argue that Meta harmed children by employing technology specifically engineered to foster addiction, drawing parallels to the tactics used by the tobacco industry. Stanford law professor Nora Freeman Engstrom suggested this case could mark "the beginning of a broader reckoning" for Meta, potentially forcing the company to fundamentally alter its globally popular platforms if it loses.

The company, however, has vehemently denied all allegations. Meta insists it has actively worked with parents, experts, and law enforcement to integrate protective measures for children. Company founder Mark Zuckerberg is anticipated to be among the key witnesses, alongside other prominent figures, as the trial unfolds.

the beginning of a broader reckoning

— Nora Freeman EngstromStanford law professor Nora Freeman Engstrom commented on the potential impact of the trial for Meta.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dawn. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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