Landmark trial on Meta's impact on children's mental health begins in US

Opening arguments have begun in a landmark federal trial in the United States that could change how social media companies are held accountable for their impact on children. Twenty-nine US states accuse Meta of deceptively designing its platforms to keep young users hooked, using features such as infinite scrolling, the like button and notifications. The legal arguments echo those used against Big Tobacco in the 1990s. Families of affected children spoke before the proceedings, with one mother saying: "I call it what it was: the predictable outcome of a system that protects corporations instead of children." Meta points to dozens of safety tools it has developed, saying it has "consulted with parents, policymakers, and safety experts." The states are seeking roughly $200bn in damages and changes to how Meta operates — about 14 percent of its market value. A loss could lead to restrictions on features designed to keep users engaged.

Al Jazeera's Eva McKend reports from Washington, DC.

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