Meta knowingly exploited children by designing Instagram and Facebook features to encourage addictive use, prosecutors told a federal court on Tuesday as the social media giant faced trial over allegations that its platforms deliberately targeted young users.
The case has been described by experts as a potential “big tobacco moment” for the technology industry. A coalition of 29 US states is seeking up to $200 billion in penalties and major changes to Meta’s platforms over alleged harm to children and teenagers.
California prosecutor Megan O’Neill told the court in opening arguments that Meta “exploited how kids’ brains work.” She accused the company of building a business model focused on attracting users, keeping them online for as long as possible, collecting their data and concealing information about the potential risks.
Meta lawyer Paul Schmidt acknowledged that some users had been harmed by the platforms but argued that the company had developed tools to help protect vulnerable users.
Before the trial, Meta rejected the allegations, saying it had worked with parents, experts and law enforcement agencies to introduce safeguards designed to protect children.
The case is the first federal trial in what could become a broader wave of litigation against major social media companies, including TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube, over allegations that their platforms contribute to mental health problems among young people.
Four states — California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey — are representing the 29-state coalition that sued Meta in 2023.
The states’ case centres on three main allegations: that Meta misled the public about the potential dangers of its platforms to minors; deliberately designed certain features to encourage prolonged use; and collected data from children under 13 without parental consent, allegedly violating federal law.
Prosecutors are also seeking changes to Meta’s platforms, including measures to strengthen protections for young users and limits on screen time.
Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri are among the high-profile witnesses expected to testify during the trial.
Outside the courthouse, activists, including parents who say their children were driven to suicide by social media use, protested against the company.
Lori Schott, one of the mothers, criticised Zuckerberg and Mosseri, arguing that the size and influence of Meta did not excuse alleged harm caused by its platforms.
Legal experts have drawn comparisons between the case and the US government’s long-running legal battle with tobacco companies.
Vincent Joralemon, a director at the University of California, Berkeley’s Life Sciences Law and Policy Center, said the case could create significant reputational damage for Meta and force the company to make substantial changes to its platforms.
The comparison stems from a landmark 1998 settlement in which dozens of US states reached an agreement with major tobacco companies after accusing them of downplaying the health risks of their products. The settlement imposed financial penalties and required changes to tobacco marketing practices.
According to data from the National Association of Attorneys General, the tobacco companies have paid more than $176 billion under the settlement.
The outcome of the Meta case could have far-reaching implications for how social media companies design and operate platforms used by children and teenagers.
