California and three states are suing Meta in an Oakland trial scheduled for Aug. 18, 2026.
Why it matters: The case could set a precedent for how far platforms can be held liable for product design tied to teen use, mental health and privacy. It also raises the possibility of court-ordered changes to Facebook and Instagram features, not just damages.
- California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are seeking damages and product changes from Meta.
- The trial is in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in Oakland and is scheduled to begin Aug. 18, 2026.
- The states allege Meta designed Facebook and Instagram to maximize teen engagement while knowing about mental health harms.
- The complaint also says Meta violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act by collecting data on children under 13 years old without parental consent.
California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are suing Meta over claims that Facebook and Instagram were designed to keep young users engaged while the company allegedly knew about the harms. The trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 18, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in Oakland, according to the states' complaint. Complaint
The states say internal research showed some teens described feeling addicted to Instagram and reported depression, loneliness, self-harm thoughts and pressure to present a perfect image. Those are allegations in the lawsuit, not findings by the court. Court filing
Meta has said it has a strong defense and has worked to make its platforms safer. In a filing covering the quarter ended March 31, 2026, the company said it has faced litigation since January 2022 alleging Facebook and Instagram cause social media addiction and other harms for users under 18. Meta filing
AP has reported that the trial is part of a broader wave of youth-safety litigation against social media companies, underscoring how the case fits into a larger legal fight over teen use and platform design. AP coverage
The states are also pressing a privacy claim, saying Meta violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act by collecting data on children under 13 years old without parental consent. The complaint pairs that allegation with the mental health claims and asks for damages and product changes. Complaint
By the numbers
- 4 states - California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are plaintiffs.
- Under 13 years old - the age threshold in the states' COPPA allegation about children's data collection.
- Aug. 18, 2026 - scheduled start date for the Oakland trial.
Yes, but: The mental health claims remain allegations in the states' complaint, and Meta has said it has a strong defense.
What's next: The trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 18, 2026, in Oakland.