Meta vs 29 US states: What to know about landmark youth social media trial

Meta is set to face a landmark youth social media trial filed by 29 states, accusing the tech giant of developing "addictive features and designs” of social media platforms.

The trial in question begins Wednesday in a California federal court involving a coalition of state attorneys general including Kentucky, Colorado and New Jersey against Instagram and Facebook parent company.

Core allegations faced by Meta

The lawsuit alleges that Meta is responsible for harming the young users through several key practices. The states accused Meta of intentionally designing its social media platforms with additive features, including video autoplay and infinitely scrollable feeds to keep the young people hooked.

They also claim that the tech giant also illegally collected and utilized children's personal data and misled consumers about platform safety.

High stakes for Meta

The trial is expected to last a week. Although attorneys general have not publicly revealed damages paid by Meta, the company stated that these damages could reach $1.4 trillion, nearing its $1.5 trillion market cap.

Besides monetary damages, the states are seeking an order, forcing Meta to apply some changes aimed at protecting the young users. These measures include implementing age restrictions, eliminating features like infinite scroll, removing algorithms and AI models created with children’s data and altering these algorithmic features to ensure well-being.

Speaking about the legal context, this lawsuit is part of a broader reckoning movement regarding the impact of social media on youth.

Over 3,000 similar lawsuits were centralized before Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. Judge Rogers has taken the unusual step of empanelling an advisory jury to guide her final decision, which is expected after the trial concludes in October.

Meta’s stance

Meta has persistently denied these allegations, showing confidence the evidence presented in the court "would show its longstanding commitment to supporting young people.”

"We've listened to parents, worked with experts and law enforcement, and conducted in-depth research to understand the ​issues that matter most," the spokesperson said in a statement.

Mexico ruling

Last week, Meta was hit by massive penalties as a New Mexico judge ordered the company to pay $567 million to address youth mental harms and ensure new safety measures.

This legal precedent followed a previous jury decision when it held Meta accountable for misleading consumers about safety and ordered it to pay $375 in civil penalties.