The spotlight turns to Meta Platforms as jury selection kicks off in a federal trial addressing claims that its social media platforms negatively impact the mental health of young users and illegally track children. The trial, set in Oakland, California, is expected to span six to eight weeks, focusing initially on four states: California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey.
This legal battle originates from a lawsuit filed in 2023, accusing Meta of collecting data from children under 13 years old without parental consent, a direct violation of federal law. The complaint criticizes Meta for leveraging advanced technologies to attract and retain youth and teens, with a primary focus on profit. It accuses the company of misleading the public about the potential dangers of its platforms, stating, “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, Meta has repeatedly misled the public about the substantial dangers of its social media platforms.”
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers is leading the jury selection process, questioning potential jurors about their social media usage and their perceptions of other legal challenges Meta faces. This trial adds to a growing list of lawsuits against major social media companies, including Google’s YouTube, TikTok, and Snap, all accused of endangering young users, illegally collecting data, and fostering addiction through their platforms.
In a related case, a New Mexico court recently ordered Meta to pay $567 million to mitigate the harm caused by its platforms to young people. This ruling follows a previous verdict where a jury imposed $375 million in civil penalties on Meta for knowingly damaging children’s mental health and concealing issues related to child sexual exploitation.
Prosecutors in the ongoing trial are urging for substantial reforms at Meta, aiming to curb addictive platform features, enhance age verification measures, and improve privacy settings and oversight to prevent child exploitation. The states involved seek hefty penalties and operational changes to enhance child safety on Meta’s platforms. Despite these challenges, Meta has expressed its disagreement with the allegations and is appealing the New Mexico decision.
The tech giant from Menlo Park, California, maintains its dedication to supporting youth. In a statement, Meta asserted, “We strongly disagree with these allegations and are confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people. We’ve listened to parents, worked with experts and law enforcement, and conducted in-depth research to understand the issues that matter most. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, and we’re always working to do better.”
