A federal trial examining whether Meta used addictive and deceptive features that harmed young users began Tuesday, with New York Attorney General Letitia James joining a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general in the case.
The trial is taking place before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and is expected to last six to eight weeks.
James and 32 other attorneys general sued Meta in October 2023, alleging the company knowingly designed features on Facebook, Instagram and other platforms that encouraged addictive use from children and teens.
“Meta has built their business around addictive feeds and features that put children’s mental health at serious risk," James said. "Protecting young New Yorkers from harmful technology has been part of my mission since taking office and I am grateful to this bipartisan coalition for coming together to hold Meta accountable for exploiting and harming our youth."
The lawsuit also alleges Meta collected personal information from children under 13 without parental consent, in violation of the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
The case is part of a broader national debate over the effects of social media on young people and could affect how major platforms address child safety. For New Yorkers, the proceedings also build on James’ efforts to strengthen protections for children using social media.
Meta has sought to prevent the case from reaching trial. A court rejected key portions of the company’s effort to dismiss the case in January 2025. In June 2026, the court rejected Meta’s request for a ruling in its favor without a trial. The district court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit later rejected requests to delay the proceedings.
The coalition is not only asking for Meta to stop harmful and deceptive practices and comply with laws protecting consumers and children, but is also seeking ponetary penalties and restitution.
Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are leading the litigation, with support from other states involved in the case. The trial will continue over the coming weeks as the coalition and Meta present evidence and arguments.
Meta has denied the allegations and is defending its practices in court.
