Meta Accused of ‘Hooking’ Children as Landmark US Trial Puts Social Media Giant Under Scrutiny

OAKLAND, California — Meta Platforms is facing a landmark federal trial in the United States over allegations that it deliberately designed Facebook and Instagram to keep children and teenagers engaged while downplaying the potential risks to young users.

Prosecutors representing a coalition of US states told a federal court in Oakland that Meta knowingly exploited the vulnerabilities of children, prioritising user engagement and commercial growth over safety. The states argue that the company misled the public about the risks associated with its platforms and failed to adequately address the presence of underage users. 

The case has been described by some observers as a potential “Big Tobacco moment” for social media, reflecting growing efforts to hold technology companies legally accountable for the effects their products may have on young people.

States seek billions in penalties

The lawsuit is being pursued by a coalition of US states, with California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey among those leading the case. The states are seeking potentially enormous financial penalties and changes to the way Meta operates Facebook and Instagram.

Initial reports put the damages sought by the leading states at approximately $200 billion, although the broader litigation could expose Meta to substantially higher potential penalties under some legal theories. Reuters has reported that the overall case could potentially involve penalties of up to $1.4 trillion. 

The states are also seeking changes to features they argue encourage prolonged engagement, including mechanisms such as infinite scrolling, as well as stronger protections for underage users. 

Former Meta engineer testifies

The prosecution’s case received significant attention when former Meta engineering director Arturo Béjar took the witness stand.

Béjar testified that Meta’s internal culture placed greater emphasis on growth and engagement than on protecting young users. He described what he characterised as a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach toward children under 13 using the company’s platforms. 

He also told the court that he had raised concerns about harmful experiences affecting young users, including problems involving harassment and inappropriate content. Béjar’s testimony is expected to be an important part of the states’ argument that Meta was aware of safety concerns but failed to respond adequately. 

Meta rejects the allegations

Meta has strongly rejected the accusations.

The company argues that it has invested heavily in safety measures and disputes the states’ characterization of its products as deliberately addictive to children. Meta’s lawyers have also challenged claims that there is sufficient scientific evidence establishing that social-media use directly causes the alleged harms. 

The company maintains that Facebook and Instagram have measures designed to restrict underage users and reduce risks to teenagers.

A case with consequences beyond Meta

The trial comes amid a much broader legal battle in the United States over the relationship between social-media platforms and children’s wellbeing.

Meta, TikTok, Snap and YouTube are facing numerous lawsuits alleging that their products contribute to youth mental-health problems and problematic or compulsive social-media use. Earlier cases have already produced significant judgments and settlements, increasing pressure on technology companies to change how their platforms are designed and regulated. 

The Oakland case could therefore have consequences extending far beyond Meta.

If the states succeed, the court could require significant changes to the design and operation of Facebook and Instagram, potentially influencing how the entire technology industry approaches children and teenagers online.

The trial is expected to continue for several weeks. A jury will provide an advisory verdict, while the final determination on Meta’s liability and potential penalties will rest with US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. 

For parents, educators and policymakers watching the proceedings, the central question goes beyond whether young people spend too much time on social media. It is whether technology companies can be held responsible when the design of their products is alleged to deliberately encourage children to keep coming back.

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