Meta faces landmark child-safety trial:Could Instagram and Facebook change in India too?

What if Instagram and Facebook were forced to change how they work for young users? That is the question at the centre of a major US trial that could have consequences far beyond the courtroom. Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, is facing a federal trial in California over allegations that it designed its platforms to keep children and teenagers hooked and collected data from children under 13 without proper parental consent. The case could also force Meta to make major changes to how its platforms work. What is the lawsuit against Meta about? The case was filed in 2023 by a coalition of US states. The states accuse Meta of deliberately using features such as infinite scrolling, personalised recommendations, likes, notifications, and other engagement tools to keep young users spending more time on Facebook and Instagram. They also allege that Meta illegally collected and used personal information from children under 13 without parental consent, potentially violating US children’s privacy laws. The states argue that these practices contributed to problems linked to youth mental health and allowed Meta to profit from children’s attention and data. What do the states want Meta to change? The lawsuit isn’t only about money. The states are also asking the court to force changes to how Facebook and Instagram operate. Proposed changes include: If such measures are imposed broadly, they could significantly change the way young people use Instagram and Facebook. How much money could Meta have to pay? This is where the case gets particularly serious for Meta. The company has said the potential damages could theoretically reach $1.4 trillion. That figure is close to Meta’s overall market value, although legal experts say a penalty anywhere near that amount is extremely unlikely. The states are seeking financial penalties as well as changes to Meta’s platforms. Also read: ‘Youth spends 6 hours daily on smartphones’:How algorithms, AI chatbots, and Roblox are redefining faith for Gen Z and Gen Alpha

What is Meta saying? Meta has denied the allegations and says it has invested heavily in making its platforms safer for young people. The company says: We’ve listened to parents, worked with experts and law enforcement, and conducted in-depth research to understand the issues that matter most. Meta maintains that the evidence will show its commitment to protecting young users. What is the current position? The trial is now underway in Oakland, California. The case involves 29 state attorneys general, with California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey among those leading the current trial. An advisory jury has been selected, but the final decision will rest with the judge. The trial is expected to last several weeks and could include testimony from senior Meta executives, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg. This is also not Meta’s first recent legal setback over child safety. In New Mexico, a court recently ordered Meta to pay hundreds of millions of dollars and implement safety-related changes after finding the company liable in a separate case. Meta has said it will appeal. Also read: From Aryabhata to Gaganyaan, nation’s independent capability: How India’s space journey is reaching for the Moon, Mars and beyond

Why should Indian Instagram and Facebook users care? The case is happening in the US, so any immediate court-ordered changes would apply there. But India has one of the world’s largest internet and social-media user bases, with Instagram and Facebook widely used by Indian teenagers, parents, creators and businesses. If Meta is forced to redesign major features in the US, it could also influence the company’s global approach to child safety, recommendations, notifications and age verification. This case is part of a much wider legal battle over whether social-media companies knowingly designed their platforms to maximise engagement among young users. More than 3,000 lawsuits involving Meta and other major platforms are moving through US courts. If Meta loses, the impact may not stop at a fine. The case could push one of the world’s biggest social-media companies to rethink how Instagram and Facebook are designed for young users.