Meta is facing a high-stakes jury trial in California that could significantly change how millions of teenagers use social media.
The case stems from a 2023 lawsuit filed by 30 US states, including New York and California, accusing the tech giant of violating federal and state child privacy laws.
The states are seeking more than Sh129 trillion ($1 trillion) in damages. But the biggest potential impact could come from the sweeping changes they want Meta to make to Instagram and Facebook.
Prosecutors want Meta to remove public “like” counts, stop infinite scrolling, disable video autoplay and eliminate appearance-altering photo filters for young users.
They are also seeking parental verification systems, a ban on teenagers creating multiple accounts and an end to disappearing posts such as Instagram Stories.
According to the lawsuit detailed in an extensive report by the BBC, Meta deliberately designed some of these features to manipulate dopamine levels and keep teenagers engaged with its platforms, boosting the company’s growth.
Meta, whose market value is currently about Sh193 trillion ($1.5 trillion), has strongly rejected the allegations.
“We strongly disagree with these allegations and are confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people,” a Meta spokeswoman said.
The case is being heard by Chief Federal Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in California.
The proceedings come after a separate legal setback for Meta in New Mexico, where Judge Bryan Biedscheid fined the company Sh121bn ($942 million) and described it as a “public nuisance” comparable to a factory polluting the air.
Biedscheid ordered Meta to remove like counts for users under 18, prevent teenagers from sending or receiving nude content and limit push notifications to specific hours. He cited a growing youth mental health crisis linked to social media.
While the New Mexico ruling applies only in that state, the 30-state case covers nearly two-thirds of the US population. A victory for the states could therefore pressure Meta to make changes across its platforms nationwide.
Public “like” counts have been a central feature of Facebook since its early days. However, research cited in court documents suggests they can negatively affect teenagers’ mental health.
Meta’s own internal research found that like counts encouraged social comparison, which was associated with “increased loneliness, worse body image, and negative mood or affect.”
The court also heard testimony from a young claimant, Kaley, who said she created dozens of fake accounts at age nine to like her own posts in search of validation. She was later diagnosed with depression at age 10.
