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Meta Platforms is facing a landmark U.S. trial that could reshape how social-media companies design their platforms and protect young users, with the case carrying potential financial penalties running into hundreds of billions of dollars.
A coalition of 29 U.S. states is accusing Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, of deliberately designing its platforms to keep children and teenagers engaged for longer periods while failing to adequately protect them from potential harm.
The case is being heard in federal court in Oakland, California, and focuses on whether features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, personalized recommendations, push notifications and other engagement tools were designed in ways that encouraged prolonged use among young users. The states also accuse Meta of collecting data from children under 13 without adequate parental consent and misleading the public about the safety of its platforms.
Meta denies the allegations and argues that it has introduced measures intended to protect teenagers. The company has also challenged the scale of the financial claims being pursued by the states.
The trial could have major consequences for Meta. The company said in a July court filing that the states’ proposed penalties could amount to as much as $1.4 trillion, although the exact amount would depend on how the court applies the relevant laws.
The financial figure is only one part of the case. The states are also seeking changes to the way Facebook and Instagram operate, potentially affecting features that have become central to the platforms’ business models.
Meta is alleged to have prioritised user engagement and growth over child safety. Meta has rejected the allegations and maintains that it has invested heavily in safety measures.
The case comes as Meta faces growing legal pressure over youth safety in the United States. Earlier this year, a New Mexico jury found against Meta in a separate case and ordered the company to pay a civil penalty, while further proceedings could result in additional costs and restrictions.
TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat have faced separate lawsuits and legal challenges involving allegations that their platforms can contribute to harmful or addictive patterns of use among young people. The cases differ in their facts and legal claims, however, meaning a ruling against Meta would not automatically impose the same requirements on other companies.
European regulators have separately examined Meta’s use of features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, push notifications and personalised recommendation systems under the European Union’s Digital Services Act.
A ruling against Meta could therefore strengthen efforts by regulators and plaintiffs to challenge similar platform-design practices across the technology industry. It could also force companies to reassess how they balance user engagement with safety and privacy protections for minors.
For Meta, the consequences could include substantial financial penalties, redesign costs and additional compliance requirements. Changes to recommendation systems and other engagement features could also affect how the company delivers personalised advertising, which relies heavily on user activity and engagement.
The outcome could influence future debates over children’s privacy, age verification, online safety and the responsibility of technology companies for the design of their products.
The trial is expected to continue for several weeks, with Meta executives and former employees among those providing evidence. Its eventual outcome could become an important test of how far governments can go in using consumer-protection and child-safety laws to regulate the design of major social-media platforms.
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