California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement on August 17 ahead of a trial in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Meta. The lawsuit, which was filed in 2023, alleges that Meta designed and deployed harmful features on Instagram and Facebook that drive excessive use by children and teens to their mental and physical detriment.
According to the August 17 statement, the lawsuit claims Meta misled users, families, and the public regarding the existence and severity of risks associated with its platforms. Attorney General Bonta stated that Meta designed Facebook and Instagram to keep children on the platforms longer, which he characterized as exploiting vulnerable residents to boost corporate profits.
The litigation involves the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser stated that Meta knew its platforms could harm young people but continued practices designed to keep them hooked to increase online time and revenue. New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport noted that the state has co-led the nationwide investigation of Meta since 2021.
The legal action alleges Meta violated federal and state laws, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, California's False Advertising Law, and California’s Unfair Competition Law. The allegations include the illegal collection and use of data from children under the age of 13 and making design decisions that drive excessive use.
Excessive time spent online is associated with various issues, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, susceptibility to addiction, and interference with daily life and learning. The lawsuit claims that increased time spent online is associated with increased severity in symptoms of depression.
The trial was scheduled to begin on August 18 in Oakland, California. Prior to this, Meta had been unsuccessful in several legal attempts to avoid accountability, including a 2024 attempt to dismiss the lawsuit and a June 2026 attempt to obtain summary judgment. Additionally, a court recently dismissed Meta's appeal challenging the lawsuit based on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
