19-08-2026
A landmark trial has begun in California concerning allegations that Meta deliberately designed Facebook and Instagram to be addictive to young people. The case places the design and operation of two of the world’s most widely used social-media platforms under legal scrutiny, particularly in relation to their impact on children and adolescents.
More than half of all US states are participating in the action and are seeking billions of dollars in damages. They are also asking for changes to the way Facebook and Instagram operate, meaning the case could have consequences beyond financial penalties. If the allegations lead to legal findings or an agreement requiring changes, Meta could be compelled to modify aspects of its platforms and their user experience.
The proceedings are described as a landmark trial because they could establish significant legal and regulatory pressure on a major technology company over the alleged effects of its product design on young users. The case also reflects broader concerns about child rights, online safety, and whether social-media companies have adequately accounted for the potential harms associated with highly engaging or addictive features.
The available report does not provide details about the specific design features at issue, Meta’s response, the identities of the states involved, or the amount of damages being sought. It presents the trial’s opening as a potentially consequential development that could affect both the financial liability of Meta and the future operation of Facebook and Instagram.
Entities: Meta, Facebook, Instagram, California, United States • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
19-08-2026
The article reports the opening of a major US legal challenge to Meta over its treatment of children and teenagers on Facebook and Instagram. A jury in Oakland, California, is expected to hear six weeks of arguments arising from a 2023 lawsuit brought by 29 states, including California and New York. The states allege that Meta violated federal and state child-privacy laws, failed to prevent children under 13 from using its platforms, and deliberately designed features that encouraged prolonged and potentially harmful use.
California attorney Megan O’Neill argued that Meta knew its services could damage teenagers’ mental health but continued targeting young users and publicly assuring families that the platforms were safe. She cited internal research, employee communications and other documents allegedly showing that Meta understood the tension between maximizing time spent on its platforms and protecting users’ well-being. The states are seeking billions of dollars and changes to Facebook and Instagram, including the removal of like counts and infinite scrolling.
Meta’s lawyer, Paul Schmidt, disputed the states’ interpretation of the evidence. He said the number of 11- and 12-year-olds identified on Instagram was just over 100,000, rather than millions, and emphasized that many teenagers reported positive or neutral experiences on the platform. He also argued that Meta could not effectively verify every user’s age because privacy laws restricted the collection and use of the data needed to identify children.
Meta further maintains that social-media addiction has not been scientifically established and says Facebook and Instagram were not designed to be addictive. The company points to tools intended to help users manage their time and to statements by Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri. The trial will therefore examine both Meta’s internal knowledge about potential harms and whether its products and business practices breached child-privacy laws.
Entities: Meta Platforms, Facebook, Instagram, Megan O’Neill, Paul Schmidt • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
19-08-2026
A landmark federal trial against Meta Platforms began in Oakland, California, with 29 U.S. states accusing the company of deliberately designing Facebook and Instagram to attract and retain children, despite knowing the platforms could contribute to anxiety, depression, suicide and other harms. The states also allege that Meta misled the public about platform safety and illegally collected and used children’s personal data.
California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are leading the case, which could result in tens or hundreds of billions of dollars in penalties and significant changes to Meta’s products. The states want Meta to eliminate features such as likes and infinite scrolling, impose time limits for younger users and better prevent children under 13 from accessing the platforms. Meta has said potential penalties could reach $1.4 trillion US, while state attorneys general estimate the amount could be closer to $200 billion.
During opening statements, California Deputy Attorney General Megan O’Neill argued that Meta’s business model was to “hook” users, keep them engaged, collect their data and conceal the risks. Meta lawyer Paul Schmidt acknowledged that some users struggle with social media but said research does not establish a clear link between adolescent social media use and poor well-being. He argued that Meta wants users to enjoy its services rather than become addicted to them.
An eight-person jury is expected to issue a non-binding advisory verdict, while U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will decide Meta’s liability and any penalties or product changes. Former Meta safety engineer Arturo Bejar testified that the company prioritized rapid product launches and failed to adequately address child safety. Internal language allegedly comparing Instagram to a drug was also presented.
The trial is expected to last at least six weeks, with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri potentially testifying. The case follows whistleblower Frances Haugen’s 2021 congressional testimony and other lawsuits alleging that social media harms young users.
Entities: Meta Platforms, Facebook, Instagram, California, Colorado • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
19-08-2026
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said a federal child-safety trial against Meta is primarily about civil penalties, restitution and correcting what he called the company’s distortion of information about the effects of Facebook and Instagram on children—not about seeking $1.4 trillion in damages. The trial, being held in federal court in Oakland, is expected to last six to seven weeks and is being co-led by attorneys general from California, Colorado, New Jersey and Kentucky on behalf of a bipartisan group of 29 states.
The states allege that Meta deliberately designed its platforms to encourage addictive behavior among children and harmed their mental well-being. They claim the company violated federal and state laws, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and consumer-protection statutes. State attorneys also allege that Meta executives’ public statements about child safety conflicted with the company’s internal research and minimized the risks posed by its products.
Meta has warned that the consolidated litigation could theoretically result in penalties of up to $1.4 trillion, while the states previously told the judge that approximately $200 billion was more realistic. Bonta said the $1.4 trillion figure was a maximum calculated by Meta and that the states are not requesting that amount. The states are seeking significant civil penalties and remedies that would require Meta to delete personal data belonging to children under 13, remove algorithms trained on that data, and eliminate features such as infinite scroll, autoplay and beauty filters.
An advisory jury will hear the evidence, but Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will determine the outcome. Meta disputes the states’ allegations and argues that its executives did not mislead the public. Bonta described Meta as the first major target in a broader effort by state attorneys general to pursue industry-wide reforms involving TikTok, YouTube and Snap.
Entities: Rob Bonta, Meta Platforms, Facebook and Instagram, California Attorney General’s Office, Bipartisan group of 29 state attorneys general • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
19-08-2026
Opening arguments have begun in a landmark federal trial in Oakland, California, involving Meta Platforms and allegations that Facebook and Instagram harm children. Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are seeking damages that could theoretically reach US$1.4 trillion, along with changes to the company’s operations. The case is part of a broader 2023 lawsuit brought by 29 states concerning child safety and privacy; the remaining states will face trial later, while Meta also faces separate state-court lawsuits.
The states allege that Meta knowingly designed addictive features that exploit children’s developing brains and contribute to the youth mental-health crisis. Prosecutors also claim that Meta collected personal information from children under 13 without parental consent, potentially violating federal law. Megan O’Neill, a deputy attorney general for California, told jurors that Meta understood children’s heightened sensitivity to rewards and social feedback, as well as their still-developing ability to control impulses. She said internal company research examined these vulnerabilities and how Instagram could respond to them, citing a study titled “The young ones are the best ones” and arguing that “kids are the product.”
Meta says it has a strong defence and is proud of the protections it has developed for teenagers. The company intends to present evidence about its efforts to protect young users before and after the lawsuits were filed.
U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers is overseeing a trial expected to last six weeks. Witnesses may include CEO Mark Zuckerberg, other executives and former employees. Although the states have suggested damages as high as $1.4 trillion, legal experts say an award of that size is unlikely and the judge would have broad discretion in setting any penalty. The case is one of many legal challenges facing social-media companies, including Google’s YouTube, TikTok and Snap, over alleged harms to young people, unlawful data collection and addictive platform design.
Entities: Meta Platforms, Facebook, Instagram, Mark Zuckerberg, Megan O’Neill • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
