A federal trial against Meta opened in Oakland, California, with state attorneys general from across the country arguing that the company's Instagram and Facebook platforms caused widespread harm to children and teenagers. The lawsuit, brought by a coalition of states, alleges Meta was aware of the dangers its platforms posed to young users and failed to take adequate protective measures.

Attorneys representing the states argued in opening statements that the consequences of the case could be astronomical, both in terms of potential penalties and the broader implications for how social media companies are held accountable for the mental and physical health of minors. Meta's legal team is expected to contest the core claims, arguing that the company has invested heavily in safety tools and parental controls.

The trial represents one of the most significant legal confrontations between state governments and a major technology platform over child safety. Dozens of attorneys general joined the action, reflecting a rare multistate consensus that existing federal protections for minors online are insufficient and that companies like Meta must face direct legal accountability.

Central to the states' case are internal documents and research that plaintiffs say show Meta's awareness of harms including depression, anxiety, and disordered eating among young users, particularly girls. Regulators and child safety advocates have long argued that algorithmic recommendation systems on Instagram can push vulnerable teenagers toward harmful content. Meta has disputed characterizations of its internal research and maintains it has made significant platform changes to protect younger users.

The outcome of the trial could reshape how social media companies design their platforms for minors and set legal precedents for future regulatory actions. Legal analysts have noted that a ruling against Meta could open the door to substantial financial liability and mandate sweeping changes to how platforms handle underage users.