Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is facing a major trial in the United States over allegations that its platforms have harmed children and were deliberately designed to encourage addictive use….
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is facing a major trial in the United States over allegations that its platforms have harmed children and were deliberately designed to encourage addictive use.
Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports that Meta is defending itself in a case brought by a coalition of US states, in what experts have described as social media’s “Big Tobacco moment.”
The case stems from allegations that Meta designed features on its platforms to maximise engagement among young users while failing to adequately protect children from potential harm.
AFP reports that after the states sued Meta in 2023, four states — California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey — were selected to represent the broader claims in the trial.
The plaintiffs are seeking to establish that Meta knowingly designed features that encouraged compulsive use among children and young people.
Meta has rejected the allegations.
A company spokesperson told AFP that Meta “strongly disagrees with these allegations” and is “confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.” The company also said it had listened to parents and worked with experts and law enforcement.
The trial is taking place amid a growing wave of legal challenges against major social media companies over alleged harm to young users.
The proceedings have attracted particular attention because of comparisons with the legal battles faced by tobacco companies, with critics arguing that technology companies should be held accountable for allegedly harmful product designs.
The outcome could have significant implications for Meta and the wider social media industry, particularly as governments and courts in the United States continue to examine how platforms protect children and teenagers online.
The case also forms part of a much broader wave of litigation involving Meta and other major technology companies over alleged links between social media use and harm to young people.
Meta maintains that it has taken steps to improve protections for younger users and disputes the allegations against it.
News Credit to our media partner TVC News .
