Full Breakdown
Meta Faces Multi-State Trial Over Alleged Teen Hooking on Instagram and Facebook
8/19/2026, 4:21:05 AM
Trial Overview
A six-week federal trial began in Oakland, California, after 29 states sued Meta Platforms Inc. for alleged violations of federal and state privacy laws concerning children.
Competing Claims on Teen Impact
Schmidt also argued that privacy regulations limit Meta’s ability to verify ages, undermining the claim that the company could fully block under-13 accounts.
Official Statements & Responses
Schmidt asserted that Meta has recognized struggles with social-media use and has introduced tools to address them. He cited past remarks from CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri, emphasizing that the platforms were not designed to be addictive and that scientific research has not confirmed a distinct “social-media addiction.”
Data Presented at Trial
Verbatim Quotes
- “There can be no dispute that Meta has recognised people struggle, or can struggle, with their use of social media, and has come up with tools to try and address that,” — Paul Schmidt
The trial will continue for several weeks, with states seeking billions in damages and demanding changes such as removing “like” counts and infinite scroll from Meta’s platforms. The outcome could reshape how major tech firms address under-age usage and platform design.
