Lawsuit Targets Meta for Child Safety Concerns

Meta faces a significant trial in California this week. Thousands of lawsuits accuse the company of compromising child safety on its platforms. States involved in the lawsuit are seeking extensive financial damages, potentially up to $1.4 trillion, demanding changes in how Meta operates Facebook and Instagram.

The lawsuit accuses the social media giant of contributing to a youth mental health crisis. It claims Meta deliberately designed addictive features for children and collects data on those under 13 without parental consent, a violation of federal law.

“Meta has harnessed powerful and unprecedented technologies to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens. Its motive is profit, and in seeking to maximize its financial gains,” the lawsuit states.

Filed three years ago, the trial in federal court in Oakland, California involves plaintiffs from California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey. Another 25 states are expected to have separate trials later.

Meta disputes these allegations. The company states that they are committed to supporting young people, listening to parents, and collaborating with experts and law enforcement. “We’ve listened to parents, worked with experts and law enforcement, and conducted in-depth research to understand the issues that matter most,” the company said in a statement.

High Stakes for Meta

Meta already lost two significant cases this year related to harms to children and teens. The stakes are high as the company faced a rare profit decline partly due to $2.4 billion in legal expenses. The potential $1.4 trillion penalty is nearly equivalent to Meta’s entire market capitalization. A penalty this large would likely lead to bankruptcy and potentially state ownership.

“The state attorneys general are going for the gusto,” says Eric Goldman of the High Tech Law Institute at Santa Clara University. “They are trying to set a definitive precedent with extraordinary damages and structural remedies if successful.”

Meta argues the proposed penalty lacks precedent in consumer protection enforcement. Legal experts say courts are unlikely to impose penalties near that figure. James Grimmelmann, a law professor at Cornell, suggests, “An award that large would put Meta into bankruptcy, wipe out its owners, and effectively result in the states owning Meta.” Previous high-damage cases have resulted in significantly reduced penalties.

Complex Federal Trial

This federal trial is more complex than an earlier case in Los Angeles where Meta and Google’s YouTube paid $6 million in damages to an individual who claimed social media addiction as a child. That case set a precedent by determining negligence in platform design, impacting youth safety.

The Oakland trial involves state attorneys general. They argue Meta violated state and federal laws, including privacy, false advertising, and unfair competition statutes. With four states involved, the trial represents complex legal challenges.

“There’s a lot of them because it’s four different states and at least three different kinds of statutes,” notes Rebecca Allensworth of Vanderbilt University Law School.

Safety Measures and Future Changes

An outcome requiring operational changes on Facebook and Instagram might be as significant as a financial penalty. Meta has implemented safety tools like Instagram’s private teen accounts and AI to detect underage users. However, states demand further action.

A New Mexico judge recently ordered time limits and AI restrictions for minors on the platforms. The ruling applies only within New Mexico, but safety advocates see these measures as crucial.

“These AGs have a real chance at fixing the product,” says Laura Marquez-Garrett of the Social Media Victims Law Center.

During jury selection, jurors were asked about Meta’s role in the youth mental health crisis. While many believed the platform contributes, they also cited parental responsibility and broader issues impacting youth mental health.

AP Technology Writer Kaitlyn Huamani contributed to this report.