Meta lawsuits: Is social media facing a global legal reckoning?

What the report says

Meta is facing a widening set of legal and regulatory challenges over whether Facebook and Instagram were designed in ways that encourage compulsive use and harm younger users. According to Al Jazeera, opening statements begin Tuesday in a multistate jury trial in California that brings together four US states that filed a federal case in 2023: California, Kentucky, Colorado and New Jersey. The states say Meta failed to verify ages, weakened parental controls and inadequately protected children from harmful content. They are seeking damages and court-ordered product changes, including parental verification for teens and changes to features such as scrolling, filters and disappearing messages.

The case is widely seen as important because it could force changes to platform design if the states prevail, although Meta denies the allegations and is expected to appeal any adverse ruling. Al Jazeera notes that the trial could last about seven weeks and that Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram’s head are expected to testify. The article also cites a recent New Mexico ruling that ordered Meta to pay $567m and change how its services function for young users, suggesting the company is already under pressure in US courts.

Beyond the US, Al Jazeera reports that EU regulators are pursuing separate actions under digital rules and child-safety standards, including preliminary findings that Meta breached the Digital Services Act by not adequately addressing risks linked to compulsive use. The article also points to developing restrictions in the UK and other countries. Taken together, the cases reflect a broader global push to scrutinize how social media platforms are built, marketed and governed, especially where children and teenagers are concerned.