Meta Platforms faces $193 billion lawsuit over child addiction claims

A coalition of U.S. states is seeking $193 billion in damages from Meta Platforms in a trial beginning in Oakland. The lawsuit alleges that Meta intentionally designed Facebook and Instagram to be addictive to children, thereby violating federal and state laws regarding the safety and privacy of minors.

The legal proceedings, expected to last six weeks, involve attorneys from California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey. If the states prevail, they are seeking not only massive financial penalties but also court-ordered modifications to how Meta's primary social media applications operate. Meta has categorically denied the accusations, stating that its platforms are designed with a commitment to supporting young users.