Meta is facing a major US court battle over allegations that it deliberately designed its social media platforms to keep children and teenagers engaged while collecting their data. The case, being heard in a federal court in California, could have significant implications for how technology companies design and operate services used by young people.
US States Seek Billions From Meta Over Child Privacy Claims
Four US states appearing in court are seeking billions of dollars from Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. They are acting on behalf of a wider group of 29 states that filed legal action against the technology company in 2023.
The lawsuit alleges that Meta violated child privacy laws and developed features intended to encourage young users to spend prolonged periods on its platforms.
The trial is taking place in Oakland, California, and is expected to run for between six and eight weeks. Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg is among those expected to give evidence.
The proceedings are being closely watched beyond the United States as governments and regulators, including those in the UK and Europe, continue to examine the impact of social media services on children and teenagers.
California Lawyer Says Meta Sought to ‘Hook’ Users
Megan O’Neill, a lawyer representing the state of California, presented a sharply critical description of Meta’s business model as arguments got under way.
She told the court that the company’s approach could be summarised as: “Hook the users; hold them for as long as they can; harvest their data; hide the truth from the public when making public statements.”
O’Neill argued that this strategy was particularly effective when applied to children, alleging that Meta deliberately designed its platforms in ways that encouraged younger users to return repeatedly.
Children Described as a ‘Product’ in Court
According to O’Neill, children effectively became a “product” because Meta could track their behaviour and use information gathered through its platforms for commercial purposes.
She alleged that the company monitored children’s activity to help sell products and maintain their engagement with social media.
The states’ case centres on claims that engagement-focused platform features created potentially addictive patterns of use among younger audiences while Meta failed to provide the public with an accurate picture of the risks.
The allegations form part of a broader debate over whether technology companies should face greater responsibility for the way algorithms, notifications and other engagement features affect younger users.
Meta ‘Strongly Disagrees’ With Allegations
Meta rejects the accusations being made against it.
The company has said it “strongly disagrees” with the allegations and maintains that evidence presented during the trial will demonstrate its “longstanding commitment to supporting young people”.
The technology group is expected to challenge claims that its products were deliberately engineered to cause harmful or addictive behaviour among children.
Meta has introduced a range of safety and parental-control measures across its services over the years, while facing increasing scrutiny from governments, regulators and families over the experience of younger social media users.
Trial Could Have Wider Impact on Social Media Regulation
The outcome could have consequences extending beyond Meta and the states involved in the litigation.
In the UK, children’s online safety has become an increasingly prominent regulatory issue, particularly as authorities seek stronger protections for younger internet users. Technology companies operating major online platforms face growing expectations to consider children’s safety when developing features and recommending content.
The California proceedings could therefore contribute to the wider international debate about how far social media companies should be held legally responsible for product designs intended to maximise engagement.
With testimony from senior Meta executives, including Zuckerberg, expected during the six-to-eight-week trial, the court will examine competing arguments about platform design, children’s privacy and the responsibilities of one of the world’s largest social media companies.
The eventual ruling could become an important test of how existing privacy and consumer-protection laws apply to social media platforms used extensively by children and teenagers.
Thomas Hawthorne is a contributor to Nintendo-power.com, covering a broad range of topics including news, business, technology, entertainment, lifestyle, and current affairs. He focuses on delivering clear, accurate, and accessible reporting that helps readers stay informed about important developments and emerging trends. With a reader-first approach, Thomas aims to provide useful context, balanced insights, and engaging stories that reflect the issues, events, and interests shaping everyday life.