Meta Faces $1.4 Trillion Youth-Safety Lawsuit Over Facebook and Instagram

Meta Platforms faces a potential $1.4 trillion penalty in a lawsuit filed by California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, alleging Facebook and Instagram were designed to be addictive for youth and misled the public about safety. The figure, disclosed in court filings, was calculated using state‑law penalty formulas tied to violations and affected users. Meta disputes the amount, calling it unsupported. The trial begins in August in Oakland, California, amid heightened scrutiny of social media and youth safety.