Four States Put Meta on Trial Over Youth Addiction Claims as New Mexico Hit It for $567 Million
Updated
Updated · Platformer · Aug 19
Four States Put Meta on Trial Over Youth Addiction Claims as New Mexico Hit It for $567 Million
3 articles · Updated · Platformer · Aug 19
Summary
California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey opened a landmark California trial accusing Meta of designing Facebook and Instagram to addict young users and misleading parents, Congress and the public about mental-health risks.
In opening arguments, California said Meta’s model was to “hook” users, keep them engaged and hide the truth, while whistleblower Arturo Béjar testified the company used a very narrow harm metric that undercounted harmful content.
Meta denied targeting children, said more than 90% of Facebook users are adults, and argued research has not established social media addiction; its lawyer said the company has added tools to address problematic use.
The case lands as Meta faces mounting child-safety losses, including a New Mexico order days ago to pay $567 million more after earlier civil penalties, and a March Los Angeles verdict finding Meta and Google liable in a young woman’s case.
Potential remedies could force platform changes such as recommendation-algorithm limits, parental verification and an end to autoplay, as state officials liken the litigation to the 1990s tobacco settlement.