Meta faces one of its most consequential legal challenges yet as a jury trial involving 30 U.S. states is set to begin Tuesday. The case could result in major financial penalties and fundamentally reshape how children and teenagers use Instagram and Facebook.
States Seek Up to $1 Trillion From Meta
The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by states including California and New York, accuses Meta of violating federal and state laws designed to protect children’s privacy.
The states are seeking damages that could exceed $1 trillion. They also want Meta to change several features they say encourage compulsive social media use among young people.
If the states prevail, Meta could be required to redesign central parts of Instagram and Facebook, potentially affecting users throughout the United States.
Meta, whose stock market value is about $1.5 trillion, has repeatedly denied the allegations.
“We strongly disagree with these allegations and are confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people,” a company spokeswoman said in a statement.
Instagram and Facebook Features Under Scrutiny
The states are asking Meta to eliminate visible “like” counts and infinite scrolling for younger users. They also want the company to:
- Establish a parental verification process for teenage users
- Change its “dopamine-manipulating recommendation algorithms”
- Remove many photo filters that alter a user’s appearance
- End automatic video playback
- Prohibit users from creating multiple accounts
- Eliminate disappearing or “ephemeral” posts, including Instagram Stories
These features are deeply integrated into the current Instagram and Facebook experience. The states argue that they are designed to keep children and teenagers returning to the platforms and using them for longer periods.
The lawsuit also alleges that Meta makes it harder for young users to reduce their screen time through frequent push notifications intended to draw them back into the apps.
According to the states, Meta “chose to exploit” young people to expand its audience and grow its business.
Case Goes Before California Federal Judge
The claims are being presented to Chief U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in California. Rogers, who also presided over the high-profile legal dispute involving Elon Musk and Sam Altman, has developed a reputation during nearly two decades on the bench for a direct and detailed approach to complex cases.
A ruling against Meta could have consequences extending well beyond this particular lawsuit. Because the states involved represent nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population, any required changes would be difficult to limit to individual jurisdictions.
New Mexico Ruling Adds Pressure on Meta
The multistate trial follows a separate defeat for Meta in New Mexico, where a judge imposed a combined $942 million penalty and ordered changes similar to those now requested by the 30 states.
Judge Bryan Biedscheid ordered Meta to remove like counts on Instagram and Facebook for users younger than 18. He also directed the company to prevent teenagers from sending or receiving nude content and restrict push notifications to certain hours.
Biedscheid declared Meta a “public nuisance,” comparing the platforms’ alleged impact to a factory polluting the air and producing “harmful effects” across an entire population.
Meta has said it will appeal the New Mexico ruling. That order applies only within the state, but a victory for the larger coalition could effectively compel the company to introduce nationwide safeguards.
A Potentially Fundamental Shift for Social Media
Visible likes have existed since Facebook’s early years and have become one of the primary ways users interact with online photos, videos and written posts.
Critics increasingly argue that like counts can encourage social comparison and negative emotions, particularly among teenagers. Similar concerns have been raised about endless scrolling, appearance-altering filters and personalized recommendation systems.
If Meta loses the multistate case, Instagram and Facebook could look significantly different for younger Americans. The outcome may also establish a broader legal standard for how social media companies design products for children, balancing user engagement against privacy, safety and mental health concerns.
Ambrose Sherman writes for Hardwood Paroxysm, covering news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on clear reporting, current affairs, and stories that matter to readers, providing reliable information in an accessible and engaging way.
