Meta youth harms trial
Jury selection begins for Meta's federal trial over youth harm and illegal child tracking claims
Jury selection began Wednesday in Oakland, California, for a landmark federal trial against Meta Platforms over claims that its social media apps have harmed youth mental health and illegally tracked children online, according to AP News. The case, filed in 2023, alleges that Meta routinely collected data on children under 13 without their parents' consent, violating federal law. The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks.
The lawsuit is part of a broad legal wave targeting social media giants — including YouTube, TikTok, and Snap — over claims their platforms addict young users and harvest their data illegally. Last week, a New Mexico court ordered Meta to pay $567 million to address harms to young people, plus $375 million in civil penalties, according to Houston Chronicle.
What the Lawsuit Actually Accuses Meta Of
The core claim is straightforward: Meta knowingly collected personal data from children under 13 without parental consent. That violates the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, a federal law that bans platforms from tracking young kids without permission. Prosecutors say Meta did this routinely across Facebook and Instagram, according to SFGate.
Beyond data collection, the lawsuit alleges Meta designed its platforms to addict young users. Features like infinite scroll, likes, and personalized feeds are built to keep kids hooked, the suit argues. Prosecutors want heavy fines and court-ordered changes to how Meta runs its platforms to make them safer for children.
New Mexico's $567 Million Ruling Sets the Stakes
Just days before this federal trial began, a New Mexico court hit Meta with a massive financial blow. The court ordered Meta to pay $567 million to address harms to young people and an additional $375 million in civil penalties, according to News4Jax. That total — nearly $1 billion — signals courts are willing to impose serious consequences.
The New Mexico ruling raises the stakes in Oakland. If this federal jury sides with plaintiffs, Meta could face similar or even larger penalties. It could also be forced to rebuild parts of its platforms from the ground up to comply with child safety rules.
Meta Faces a Growing Tide of Child Safety Lawsuits
This trial is not a one-off. Meta, Google's YouTube, TikTok, and Snap all face similar lawsuits across the country. The cases share the same basic claims: these apps harm kids mentally, collect their data without permission, and are built to keep young users addicted, according to Winnipeg Free Press.
The Oakland federal trial is among the most high-profile of these cases. It brings together thousands of individual claims filed by families across the U.S. The outcome could set a legal precedent — forcing not just Meta, but the entire social media industry, to change how it treats users under 13.
What Happens Next in the Oakland Courtroom
Jury selection started Wednesday and will be followed by opening arguments, with the full trial set to begin next week. The case is expected to run six to eight weeks, according to Hastings Tribune. That timeline means a verdict could come as early as late spring or early summer.
Prosecutors are pushing for two things: money and change. They want Meta to pay penalties for past harm and to overhaul how its platforms handle young users going forward. Meta has not publicly said whether it plans to settle or fight the case through a full jury verdict.
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