Meta Stares Down Trillion-Dollar Threat as Landmark Social Media Trial Begins

Live updates

1. 28d ago

   Meta Faces Federal Trial Over Child Social Media Addiction

   Meta began a landmark federal trial on Tuesday in Oakland regarding allegations that the company created harmful and addictive products for children. The legal action involves 29 states seeking damages over child data and social media addiction. While some sources report states are seeking $200 billion, others indicate the threat could exceed $1 trillion. The trial focuses on whether Instagram and Facebook were designed to hook young users, with potential outcomes that could force fundamental changes to how both platforms operate.

   Why it matters

   This case is part of a broader wave of thousands of addiction lawsuits targeting Meta and Snap. It follows a recent $900 million court victory against Meta in New Mexico. The proceedings test the legal liability of social media companies for the mental health of minors.

   What is confirmed

   • A federal trial alleging Meta created harmful and addictive products began Tuesday in Oakland.
   • Twenty-nine states are involved in the trial regarding social media addiction and child data.
   • Meta is facing thousands of addiction lawsuits alongside Snap.

   Still unconfirmed

   • States are seeking more than $1 trillion in damages.
   • States are seeking $200 billion from Meta over child social media addiction claims.
   • New Mexico's attorney general is pushing new social media safety laws following a $900 million victory over Meta.

   What to watch next

   • Court rulings on the admissibility of specific witnesses and damages
   • Testimony from the 29 attorneys general
   • The final verdict on whether Meta's product design constitutes legal harm to children
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. Yahoo Finance — Meta to face massive social media addiction trial Tuesday
   2. BBC — If Meta loses this trial, Instagram and Facebook could change forever
   3. npr.org — Meta heads to court in a landmark trial about kids and social media addiction
   4. Yahoo Finance — How Serious Are Thousands of Addiction Lawsuits for Meta (META) and Snap (SNAP)?
   5. The Guardian — New Mexico’s attorney general pushes new social media safety laws after $900m court victory over Meta
   6. CNBC — Meta faces ‘astronomical’ consequences as legal fight reaches critical moment in California
   7. Bloomberg.com — Meta Stares Down Trillion-Dollar Threat as Landmark Social Media Trial Begins
   8. SFGATE — Oakland: Federal Trial Alleging Meta Created Harmful And Addictive Products Set To Begin Tuesday
   9. The Seattle Times — A look at major lawsuits against Meta and other social media companies over harms to kids
   10. Reuters — The Meta jurors who won't decide Meta's fate
   11. Yahoo — Major Meta trial begins as lawyers spar over witnesses, damages
   12. The Guardian — Meta faces $200bn trial over child data and social media addiction by 29 states
   confidence 85%