2026-08-17 12:12:23
Meta is facing its biggest legal challenge yet over how Instagram and Facebook are designed for children and teenagers, with a trial beginning on Tuesday (18.08.26) that could force major changes to the platforms.
The case was brought in 2023 by attorneys general from 29 US states.
It accuses Meta of illegally collecting children’s data and deliberately designing its platforms to keep young users hooked.
Four states, California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey, are leading the trial.
Meta has warned that potential damages could reach $1.4 trillion (£1 trillion), although the states have not publicly disclosed a figure and legal experts say an award of that scale is unlikely.
The states are also seeking sweeping changes to Facebook and Instagram, including stronger age verification, restrictions on algorithms trained using children’s data, limits on notifications and the removal of features such as infinite scrolling.
They argue Meta’s recommendation systems and engagement features are designed to maximise the time young people spend on its platforms, contributing to problems including anxiety, depression and poor body image.
The proposed changes could affect some of the most familiar parts of Instagram and Facebook, including “like” counts, autoplay videos, disappearing posts and personalised recommendations.
Meta strongly denies the allegations.
The company said: “We’ve listened to parents, worked with experts and law enforcement, and conducted in-depth research to understand the issues that matter most.”
The case comes after Meta suffered two significant losses earlier this year.
In March, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube liable for harming a young woman’s mental health, awarding her $6 million in damages.
Meta was also ordered by a New Mexico court to pay a further $567 million last month after being found responsible for creating a public nuisance that harmed children.
That followed a separate $375 million penalty in the same case.
The New Mexico ruling also ordered Meta to introduce stronger age verification, limit under-18 users to 90 hours a month and restrict push notifications, although the judge rejected some requested changes to algorithms and infinite scrolling.
Meta plans to appeal.
The latest case is being overseen by US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in California.
An advisory jury will hear the evidence and issue findings, but Rogers will ultimately decide the case.
With the states representing almost two-thirds of the US population, a ruling requiring nationwide changes could significantly reshape how millions of young people use Instagram and Facebook.
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