Trial begins over social media damages: Meta faces a fine of 1,400 billion

A trial began yesterday in a federal court in California in which Meta is accused of designing its social media platforms – Facebook and Instagram – to encourage compulsive use amongst children and teenagers, thereby causing harm to the mental health of its youngest users.

The case was launched two years ago, following statements made by a number of former Meta employees, on the initiative of the attorneys-general of California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey – leading a bipartisan group of 29 US states – who are seeking not only substantial financial penalties but also court orders requiring changes to the platforms.

At the first hearing, held in Oakland before a jury of eight, legal representatives from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey accused Meta of designing Facebook and Instagram to be addictive for children and teenagers, causing problems such as anxiety, depression and suicidal tendencies. They also alleged that Meta had breached consumer safety regulations. All 29 states bringing the case also claim that Meta has breached federal law by collecting and misusing children’s personal data.

Meta has stated that the fines could total 1,400 billion dollars, a figure close to the company’s market value. The attorneys general have stated that the fines could amount to 200 billion, a sum equivalent to approximately three years’ after-tax profits for Meta.

Meta is also being asked to introduce age restrictions for users and to remove infinite scroll, which encourages users to keep viewing new posts. In a statement issued ahead of the trial, a Meta spokesperson described the states’ allegations as “baseless”, reiterating “the company’s commitment to creating robust safeguards for teenagers”.