Meta faces US trial over allegations of harm to children

MUMBAI: Meta is about to face a scroll-stopping test in a US courtroom, as the social media giant heads to trial over allegations that Facebook and Instagram were designed to keep children hooked despite concerns about the impact on their mental health.

The case, set to begin this week, is among the first major trials to emerge from a wave of lawsuits brought by families who accuse Meta of prioritising engagement among young users while failing to adequately address potential psychological risks.

According to court filings, the plaintiffs allege that features including infinite scrolling, algorithm-driven recommendations, notifications and other engagement tools encouraged excessive use among minors. They argue that this contributed to problems including anxiety, depression, eating disorders and low self-esteem.

Meta has disputed the allegations. The company has said it has invested heavily in safety measures and parental controls for younger users and families. It has also argued that there is no scientific consensus establishing that its platforms directly cause mental health disorders.

The trial is expected to delve into Meta’s internal communications, research and product-design decisions made over several years. The plaintiffs are seeking damages and hope to establish that Meta knowingly put user engagement ahead of children’s welfare.

The scrutiny surrounding the company intensified in 2021 following documents leaked by former Facebook employee Frances Haugen. The documents indicated that Meta’s internal research had raised concerns about Instagram’s impact on some teenagers, particularly in relation to body image. The disclosures triggered congressional hearings, regulatory investigations and renewed calls for stronger safeguards for children online.

Meta has since introduced a range of youth-safety measures, including enhanced parental supervision tools, tighter content controls for teenagers, private-by-default settings for younger users and restrictions on interactions between minors and unknown adults.

The lawsuit comes as governments and regulators are taking a closer look at how social media platforms affect young users. Several US states have introduced measures aimed at limiting minors’ access to social media, while authorities in Europe, Australia and other markets have increased scrutiny of algorithms, age verification and online safety practices.

For Meta, the courtroom battle adds another layer to an already crowded regulatory plate as the company navigates pressure over its social platforms while competing aggressively in artificial intelligence.

The outcome could have implications well beyond Facebook and Instagram, with technology companies, policymakers and digital rights groups watching closely to see how courts determine where platform responsibility begins and where it ends, when it comes to the effects of social media on children.