Dubai, UAE — Tennessee accused Meta Platforms on Monday of ignoring its own research on Instagram’s effects on teenagers in pursuit of higher profits, as a closely watched trial opened over claims the company designed addictive features despite knowing the risks to young users.
During opening statements in a Nashville state court, lawyers for Tennessee said Meta researchers repeatedly warned company executives that some teenagers were using Instagram compulsively, contributing to eating disorders, depression and self-harm, according to France24.
Despite those findings, the state argued, Meta retained features including autoplay, notifications and infinite scroll because they kept teenagers on the platform longer and increased advertising revenue.
Meta rejected the allegations, telling jurors it has been transparent about the risks associated with Instagram and has consistently worked to identify and address harmful content and problematic behaviour on the platform.
State seeks penalties and platform changes
The lawsuit, brought by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti’s office, seeks financial penalties and a court order requiring Instagram to modify features the state says are harmful to teenagers’ mental health.
If the jury finds Meta liable, the case will move to a second phase before Chancellor Russell Perkins, who will determine any financial penalties and whether changes to Instagram should be ordered.
Internal research takes centre stage
State lawyer Tom Cartmell sought to demonstrate how Instagram’s design encourages compulsive behaviour by playing the sound of a smartphone notification during his opening statement.
He argued that unpredictable rewards such as notifications trigger dopamine responses that are especially powerful in developing teenage brains and that Meta understood the science behind those effects, according to France24.
Cartmell also presented a 2017 internal company document in which Meta product managers wrote that notifications and infinite scroll were “inherently at odds with well-being” and suggested the public should be warned.
“That warning never came,” Cartmell told jurors.
Meta says evidence shows commitment to safety
Meta lawyer Kevin Huff said the internal documents cited by Tennessee demonstrated the company’s willingness to investigate potential harms so it could improve its products.
He said Meta has developed tools to limit problematic Instagram use and provides resources aimed at helping parents and teachers protect teenagers online.
Huff also argued that broader social problems, including suicide, child exploitation and addiction, cannot be attributed solely to one technology company.
“We think the evidence will show that Meta is doing its part and empowering others to do their part, because protecting teens online is a shared responsibility,” he told the jury.
Part of wider legal fight
The Tennessee case is one of numerous lawsuits accusing Meta of harming children through its social media platforms.
Nearly every US state has filed claims against the company, with more than two dozen consolidated in multidistrict litigation in San Francisco, while others are proceeding separately in state courts. Meta and other social media companies also face thousands of lawsuits brought by individuals and school districts, according to France24.
Tennessee’s case is the second state lawsuit to reach a jury. Earlier this year, a New Mexico jury found Meta liable and ordered it to pay $375 million, with a judge still considering additional penalties and possible changes to Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp in the state.
