WORLD - Opening statements began Tuesday in a major US jury trial accusing Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, of deliberately designing its platforms to encourage addictive use and harm the mental health of young people.
The case, brought by 29 US states, is being heard in California and could expose Meta to damages reportedly reaching $1.4 trillion. The states are also seeking court-ordered changes to Facebook and Instagram, including stronger age verification and restrictions on features they say encourage compulsive use.
Meta has strongly denied the allegations.
The lawsuit was initially filed in 2023 by California, Kentucky, Colorado and New Jersey. The states allege that Meta designed its platforms to encourage addictive behaviour, failed to adequately verify users’ ages, enabled adolescents to bypass parental controls and did not sufficiently protect young users from harmful content.
States Target Platform Design
Prosecutors are focusing on features including continuous scrolling and algorithmic recommendations, arguing that they are designed to keep users engaged for extended periods.
The states are seeking several changes, including parental verification for teenage accounts, modifications to what they describe as “dopamine-manipulating” algorithms, restrictions on multiple accounts and an end to disappearing messages and posts.
They are also asking Meta to remove image filters from personal images.
Jury selection was completed last week. The trial is expected to last about seven weeks, although the proceedings could take longer. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and the head of Instagram are expected to testify.
The case is unlikely to end with the trial court’s verdict. Meta is expected to appeal any ruling against the company.
Potential Impact on Meta
Legal experts say the California case could have broader implications for the technology industry because of the state’s extensive regulatory reach.
Julia Powles, executive director of the UCLA Institute for Technology, Law and Policy, told CNBC that California is particularly significant because decisions there can influence technology companies beyond the state.
Sonia Livingstone, a professor at the London School of Economics, said a complete overhaul of Meta’s business model is unlikely, but the company could introduce changes aimed at reducing harm to users under 18.
The case follows several other legal challenges in the US. Earlier this month, a New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million and make changes to its platforms after finding the company responsible for harming children’s mental health.
Another 14 US states are scheduled to begin a separate trial against Meta in February 2027.
EU Targets Addictive Features
Meta is also facing regulatory pressure in Europe.
The European Commission opened an investigation in 2024 into whether Facebook and Instagram violated EU online content rules, including requirements related to protecting children. Regulators raised concerns that Meta’s recommendation systems could exploit children’s vulnerabilities and encourage addictive behaviour.
Last month, the European Commission issued preliminary findings that Meta had breached the Digital Services Act and called for design changes to reduce compulsive use.
The EU has also warned that Meta could face significant fines if it fails to comply with its obligations.
Restrictions Expand Internationally
Governments elsewhere are also tightening rules around children’s social media use.
The UK plans to introduce a ban on social media for children under 16 next year, while authorities are considering measures including restrictions on infinite scrolling and possible overnight curfews.
Australia introduced an under-16 social media ban in December 2025. However, an investigation by the country’s online safety regulator found that more than eight in 10 young teenagers and preteens continued to use social media, raising concerns about the effectiveness of age-verification systems.
Brazil has also pursued legal action against Meta and other platforms over alleged failures to prevent addictive use and protect children. The country has introduced requirements linking accounts belonging to children under 16 to legal guardians.
In Kenya, Meta is facing a $2.4 billion lawsuit alleging that Facebook algorithms amplified hateful and violent content linked to ethnic violence during the Ethiopia conflict between 2020 and 2022.
A Broader Challenge to Social Media
The growing number of lawsuits and regulations could force social media companies to change how their platforms operate, particularly in relation to children.
Experts say the most likely changes will involve stricter age verification, stronger content moderation and modifications to algorithmic recommendation systems rather than the complete dismantling of existing platforms.
However, continued legal and regulatory pressure could push governments toward broader restrictions if companies fail to address concerns over addiction and child safety.
The outcome of the California trial could therefore extend beyond Meta, potentially influencing how social media platforms are designed and regulated worldwide.
