US: Meta hooked children prosecutors say as trial over social media harm begins

Meta intentionally hooked and exploited children, a US federal court heard Tuesday as a landmark trial seeking to hold Meta accountable for the alleged harm its social media platforms cause children began in California.

Four US states, California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey, argue the company misled the public about the safety of Instagram and Facebook and deliberately made the apps addictive for minors.

Lawyers for the states also allege Meta is violating privacy laws by routinely collecting data on children under 13 without their parents' consent.

The states are seeking around $200 billion (€173 billion) in damages as well as significant changes to Meta's core platforms.

They are part of a coalition of 29 states that sued the tech giant in 2023 for allegedly building addictive features into its apps.

On Tuesday, opening statements were made in the federal court in Oakland, a short drive from San Francisco.

Megan O'Neill, a deputy attorney general for the California Department of Justice, laid out the states' case in front of an eight-person jury.

"You're going to hear that Meta knew a lot about kids' brains," O'Neill said.