New Jersey takes Meta to trial over alleged harm to children on Facebook, Instagram
New Jersey and three other states allege Meta designed its platforms to drive excessive use among young people while misleading families about the risks.
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New Jersey and three other states are taking Meta to trial over allegations that Facebook and Instagram were designed with features that fueled excessive use among children and teens and harmed their mental health.
Opening statements are scheduled to begin Tuesday in federal court in Oakland, California, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport is joining the attorneys general of California, Colorado and Kentucky in the case against Meta Platforms Inc. New Jersey has co-led the nationwide investigation into the company since 2021.
The lawsuit, filed in 2023, alleges Meta designed features on Facebook and Instagram that encouraged children and teens to spend excessive amounts of time on the platforms, disrupting sleep and distracting them during the school day.
The states also argue that Meta misled young users, their families and the public about risks associated with its platforms and illegally collected and used data belonging to children under 13.
The lawsuit claims the company violated federal and state laws, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and the New Jersey Consumer Protection Act.
“Meta has endangered the mental health of an entire generation of kids, with addictive features it knew would have these horrific effects,” Davenport said in a statement Monday.
Meta previously sought to have the case dismissed.
