Meta hooked children on Facebook and Instagram, US court hears
A major trial has begun in California where US states are suing Meta, alleging the company intentionally designed Facebook and Instagram to be addictive to children. Attorneys argue that Meta ignored internal research regarding the negative mental health impacts on young users.
Why it matters
This case could set a significant legal precedent for how social media companies are regulated and held accountable for the impact of their algorithms on youth mental health.
Figure caption, How the Meta trial could change social media for young people
A court has heard claims Meta intentionally hooked a generation of children on Facebook and Instagram, as the biggest legal challenge faced by the social media platform began.
A jury in Oakland, California will spend the next six weeks wading through claims by top attorneys from several US states and lawyers for the social media company.
A lawyer for California claimed Meta found "millions" of 11 and 12-year-olds were on Instagram and "did little to keep them off" as the trial opened on Tuesday.
Meta's representative said just over 100,000 such users were found, and argued that social media addiction does not exist.
California's lawyer said Meta knew its platforms hurt teen mental health, while Meta said it was being ignored how many more teens had good experiences.
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