Meta Faces U.S. Trial Over Child Safety and Social Media Addiction

Meta is facing one of its most consequential legal battles to date as U.S. states challenge how Facebook and Instagram are designed, particularly their impact on children and teenagers.

A federal trial began in Oakland, California, on August 18, 2026 , with attorneys general from 29 states accusing Meta of using engagement-driven product design that allegedly encouraged addictive use among young people. The states also allege that Meta collected data from children under 13 without the required parental consent.