Meta faces landmark trial over alleged addiction harm to children

Meta Platforms is currently facing a landmark federal trial in California, where a coalition of 29 U.S. states alleges that the company intentionally designed Facebook and Instagram with addictive features to target children, contributing to a youth mental health crisis. Opening statements began on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, with attorneys general from states like California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey claiming Meta knowingly exploited young users' psychological vulnerabilities for profit. The lawsuit contends that Meta covered up internal research indicating Instagram's addictive nature for teenagers and unlawfully collected data from users under 13 years old.

The states are seeking substantial financial penalties, potentially reaching billions of dollars, and demanding significant changes to Meta's platforms. Proposed modifications include eliminating features like "like" counts and infinite scroll, and implementing stricter age restrictions and time limits for younger users. Meta, however, denies these accusations, asserting that its platforms do not cause addiction and that research does not support claims of social media harming adolescents' well-being. The company maintains that it prioritizes user experience and has implemented various safeguards for children.

This federal trial follows earlier legal setbacks for Meta. In March 2026, a New Mexico jury found the company liable for harming children's mental health and safety, resulting in a total financial order of $942 million for that state. Additionally, a California jury in March 2026 found Meta (alongside Google) liable for $3 million in damages in a case brought by a young woman claiming addiction to Instagram and YouTube, a verdict Meta is currently appealing. The ongoing trial, expected to last six to eight weeks, will see Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri among those expected to testify.