Meta rejects claims it sought to hook children to Facebook, Instagram as landmark trial begins

Meta Platforms is on trial, facing accusations from 29 U.S. states that it intentionally designed its Facebook and Instagram platforms to hook children and maximize profits. The trial, which began with opening statements Tuesday in Oakland, California federal court, could significantly alter how the world's most popular social media apps operate. The states are seeking substantial financial penalties and fundamental changes to Meta's business practices.

Lead states California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey specifically accuse Meta of fueling anxiety, depression, and even suicide among young users by designing addictive features. They also allege the company misled the public about the safety of its platforms. Furthermore, all 29 states contend that Meta violated federal law through the improper collection and use of children's personal data.

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Meta needed kids, and it needed to reassure the people who cared about those kids that the kids are safe.

Experts consider this trial a critical test of social media's impact on young users. Meta and other tech giants like Snap, TikTok's parent ByteDance, and Alphabet (Google's parent company) are already facing numerous lawsuits from various entities over alleged harm to young users.

During the trial, California's deputy attorney general, Megan O’Neill, told the jury that Meta's business model focused on "hooking users, holding them for as long as they can, harvesting their data, and then hiding the truth from the public." She emphasized that this strategy "worked especially well for kids" because "Meta needed kids." Meta's lawyer, Paul Schmidt, acknowledged that some social media users face struggles but asserted that research does not establish a clear link between social media use and diminished well-being in adolescents. He also stated that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg desires to improve the company's services rather than make them dangerous, as the company's success depends on user satisfaction.

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They don’t believe they’re going to do well if people don’t like their service.