Meta Platforms faces a jury trial in Tennessee over claims it knowingly designed Instagram to be addictive for teenagers. This case is one of the first state-level lawsuits against the company to reach the trial stage.
Tennessee accuses Meta of violating consumer protection laws by creating features that drive compulsive use. The state claims Meta misled the public about platform safety and contributed to a youth mental health crisis.
The trial is expected to last seven weeks. Tennessee seeks financial penalties and a court order to force changes to features like autoplay and notifications.
Legal experts are monitoring the proceedings as they could set a precedent for lawsuits filed by nearly every other state. These cases similarly target the impact of Meta’s platforms on children.