Meta Faces High-Stakes Lawsuit Over Child Safety on Social Media Platforms

Lawsuit Against Meta Over Child Safety Issues

Among numerous lawsuits Meta faces concerning child safety on its platforms, none may be as significant as one beginning this week in California. States are seeking extensive financial damages, potentially reaching as much as $1.4 trillion, as well as changes to the operations of Facebook and Instagram. The lawsuit accuses Meta of knowingly designing features to addict children to its platforms, contributing to the youth mental health crisis. It also claims Meta collects data on children under 13 without parental consent, violating federal law.

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

Dozens of states filed the lawsuit three years ago. The trial beginning Tuesday in federal court in Oakland, California, features California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey as plaintiffs. Other states are expected to have trials later. Meta disputes the allegations and claims the trial evidence will demonstrate its commitment to supporting young users.

Significant Implications for Meta

For Meta, the stakes are high, following losses in previous cases regarding harms to children and teens. Last month, Meta reported a rare profit decline, partly due to $2.4 billion in legal expenses. The potential $1.4 trillion figure matches Meta’s entire market capitalization, posing a risk of bankruptcy and possible state ownership.

“The state attorneys general are going for the gusto,” said Eric Goldman, a professor at Santa Clara University School of Law. “They have asked for extraordinary damages and structural remedies.”

Meta describes the possible penalty as excessive. Legal experts assert the court has discretion over penalty size, with anything close to $1.4 trillion being unlikely.

James Grimmelmann, a law professor at Cornell Law School, states an award that large would drive Meta into bankruptcy. He suggests courts typically don’t impose maximum penalties, citing previous cases.

Complex Federal Trial

This week’s federal trial in Oakland is more complex than the earlier Los Angeles trial, where Meta and YouTube were fined $6 million over a young woman’s addiction to social media. The current case involves allegations from state attorneys general concerning violations of several state and federal statutes.

Rebecca Allensworth, a law professor at Vanderbilt University, explains that the case includes violations of child privacy, false advertising, and unfair competition statutes.

Requests for Safer Platforms

The trial’s outcome could require changes to Facebook and Instagram. Meta has introduced new protective features for minors, such as private default accounts, messaging and content restrictions, and parental controls. AI is also employed to monitor user ages.

New safety measures have been ordered by a New Mexico judge, applying to the state only. Advocates urge further safety improvements.

Laura Marquez-Garrett of the Social Media Victims Law Center stated that these cases offer a significant chance to improve product safety.

During jury selection, prospective jurors recognized Meta’s impact on youth mental health but noted parents and external factors like climate change also play a role.

AP Technology Writer Kaitlyn Huamani contributed to the report.