U.S. States File Landmark Lawsuit Against Meta Alleging Child Exploitation

Meta was accused of deliberately designing Instagram and Facebook to be addictive for minors during a federal trial that began Tuesday, with a coalition of states seeking up to $200 billion in penalties.

The case, likened by experts to the tobacco industry’s legal battles of past decades, centers on claims that Meta prioritized profit over children’s well-being by hooking younger users to secure long-term engagement and data harvesting.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser emphasized the public health implications, stating, “Congress failed to act, so states are stepping in to protect youth from exploitative practices.”

California prosecutor Megan O’Neill argued that Meta’s business model sought to “hook users, hold them as long as possible, and conceal the risks” from parents and the public.

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“Meta found younger users more lucrative,” O’Neill noted, citing internal communications that labeled Instagram as a “drug” and its team as “pushers.” The prosecution highlighted Meta’s strategy of targeting early adopters, arguing that the younger a child’s initial engagement, the higher their lifetime value to the company.

Meta’s defense team countered that while some users experienced harm, the company had implemented safeguards and acknowledged informal language in internal discussions. They emphasized ongoing efforts to improve safety through partnerships with experts and parents.

Former Meta engineering director Arturo Bejar testified that early design choices deprioritized safety, stating, “The goal was speed to users, not protection.” His testimony, initially blocked by Meta, was allowed after a judge overruled the company’s objections.

Mothers Rally for Accountability

Activists, including mothers of minors harmed by social media addiction, gathered outside the courthouse, accusing CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri of prioritizing profits over children’s mental health.

Lori Schott, an activist, declared, “Power doesn’t excuse harm. These leaders built a company with global reach, and they must answer for the damage.” Zuckerberg and Mosseri are expected witnesses, though their testimonies remain unconfirmed.

First of Many Legal Battles

The trial marks the opening salvo in a wave of lawsuits targeting platforms like TikTok and YouTube for similar allegations. The coalition of 29 states, led by California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, seeks not only financial penalties but also structural changes to Meta’s products, including restricting age-inappropriate features and ending infinite scrolling.

Prosecutors allege Meta misled the public about risks to minors, engineered addictive features, and collected data from children under 13 without parental consent. A six-week trial is set to conclude with a verdict projected by October.

Legal experts note the case mirrors the 1998 tobacco settlement, which imposed $176 billion in penalties and mandated marketing restrictions. Meta’s legal team warns the ruling could severely damage its reputation and force costly platform overhauls.

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