Landmark Federal Trial Kicks Off As 29 States Sue Meta Over Minor Safety

A closely watched federal trial is getting underway in Oakland, California, as 29 states challenge Meta over claims that Facebook and Instagram were designed to keep children and teens engaged for excessive periods and that the company collected data from children without proper parental consent.

The case is part of a federal multidistrict lawsuit filed in 2023. The Oakland trial initially focuses on claims brought by California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey, while the broader coalition’s allegations could shape additional proceedings. The states say Meta used features such as infinite scroll, repeated notifications, recommendation algorithms, social comparison tools and visual filters in ways that could encourage compulsive use and harm young users.

The lawsuit also alleges violations of the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, known as COPPA. The law generally requires covered online services to provide notice and obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13. Meta has denied the allegations, saying it has worked with parents, experts and law enforcement and has introduced safety features for young users.

The outcome could influence how social-media companies design youth accounts, handle age verification, collect data and balance engagement with user well-being. It may also add momentum to similar cases involving other major platforms.

For families, this is a useful moment to review privacy settings, notification controls, screen-time tools and account age information. Parents and caregivers can also ask children what content they see, how recommendations affect their feeds and whether online activity is interfering with sleep, school or relationships. Brownstone’s technology coverage will continue tracking the broader digital-policy debate.

The courtroom questions reach beyond Meta: What responsibility should platforms have for features that encourage constant use, and what protections should families reasonably expect? Share your perspective with your neighbors: and follow the Associated Press report and New York Attorney General Letitia James’ case summary for updates.