Instagram and Facebook could change forever if Meta loses child privacy trial
Meta is facing a major lawsuit from 30 US states alleging that its platforms, Facebook and Instagram, harm children through addictive design features. The trial could force the company to fundamentally alter its recommendation algorithms and user interface.
Why it matters
A loss for Meta could set a massive legal precedent for how social media companies are regulated regarding child safety and digital addiction.
Image source, Getty Images By Kali Hays Technology reporter Published 17 August 2026, 00:27 BST Updated 6 hours ago Meta has been hit with successive losses in court over how its platforms have targeted and harmed young users, but a jury trial set to begin on Tuesday may pose the biggest threat yet to its operations.
The trial stems from a lawsuit filed in 2023 by 30 US states, including California and New York, in which they claim numerous violations of federal and state privacy laws for children.
Not only are the states seeking upwards of $1 trillion , external from Meta, they are demanding it make changes to Instagram and Facebook, including ending "like" counts and infinite scroll.
Should Meta ultimately lose a case of this scale, it could force fundamental changes to the way young people experience social media.
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