Meta Faces Landmark Child Privacy Trial as US States Sue Over Platform Harms

Meta is currently facing a landmark trial in a California federal court, where a coalition of US states alleges the company intentionally designed its Facebook and Instagram platforms with addictive features that harm children's mental health and violate child privacy laws. The lawsuit claims Meta collected data from users under 13 without parental consent and deliberately employed tactics to keep young users engaged. States are seeking substantial financial penalties, potentially reaching $1.4 trillion, alongside demands for significant changes to Meta's platform design, including age restrictions and the removal of features like infinite scrolling.

This trial comes amidst a broader wave of legal action, with over 40 states and the District of Columbia pursuing similar claims against Meta. The company, however, maintains it disputes the allegations and is committed to providing safe online experiences for young users.

Adding to the legal pressure, a New Mexico jury in March 2026 found Meta liable for violating state consumer protection laws and failing to protect children from exploitation, initially ordering a $375 million payout. A judge in August 2026 subsequently ordered Meta to pay $567 million to a teen mental health fund and implement restrictions on some Facebook and Instagram features for children. Meta plans to appeal this verdict, which is one of several "bellwether" trials providing insight into how courts may address the extensive litigation against social media companies.