NPR
'Profits won.' The child safety trial against Meta kicks off in federal court
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Opening arguments began in federal court in a trial brought by four states against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. The states allege that Meta knew its products could create dependency in children and made false statements about the risks. The trial centers on whether Meta prioritized profit over child safety in the design and operation of its social media platforms.
