started · updated
Meta faces federal trial over addictive platform design for minors
A federal trial has commenced in Oakland, California, regarding allegations that Meta intentionally designed Facebook and Instagram to be addictive to children and adolescents. The lawsuit, initiated by 29 US states in 2023, claims the company utilized features like infinite scroll, recommendation algorithms, and constant notifications to maximize user engagement at the expense of youth mental health.
During the proceedings, former Facebook engineering director Arturo Béjar testified that the company prioritized rapid product deployment over safety protocols. Prosecutors also allege that Meta violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting data from users under 13 without parental consent.
Meta denies the allegations, with defense attorneys arguing that the platforms were not designed to cause addiction and questioning the scientific evidence linking social media use to the specific harms alleged by the plaintiffs.
Entities
Arturo Béjar · California · Facebook · Instagram · Meta · Oakland
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Meta is accused of collecting data from children under the age of 13 without required parental consent. xronos-kozanis.gr · tvenserio.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The defense argues that the platforms were not designed to cause addiction. xronos-kozanis.gr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The defense challenged the existence of sufficient scientific evidence linking social media to the alleged harms. xronos-kozanis.gr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Meta designed Facebook and Instagram to keep children and adolescents on the platforms for longer periods through addictive features. xronos-kozanis.gr · tvenserio.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Twenty-nine US states filed a lawsuit against Meta in 2023. xronos-kozanis.gr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Meta denies the allegations. xronos-kozanis.gr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Former Facebook engineering director Arturo Béjar testified that the company prioritized speed of product releases over safety protocols. tvenserio.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Features such as infinite scroll, recommendation algorithms, and constant notifications were designed to maximize time spent on apps by youth. tvenserio.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Meta's corporate culture prioritized rapid product launches over user protection protocols. tvenserio.com