California files new lawsuit against Meta over its handling of children on Facebook

With the expansion, additional U.S. states are joining the case. The allegations target the business model of Facebook and Instagram, which according to plaintiffs relies on mechanisms such as endless feeds, push notifications, and algorithmic recommendations to keep young users on the platforms as long as possible.

Allegations in detail

Bonta argues that Meta deliberately exploited the way adolescent brains work in order to bind children and teenagers to the platforms. Meta has "Kinder und Jugendliche abhängig gemacht, die Funktionsweise ihrer Gehirne ‚ausgenutzt' und die Öffentlichkeit in die Irre geführt," a spokesperson for the responsible authority stated. The company also downplayed risks such as problematic content, addictive behavior, and data protection violations over many years.

Legal experts see the case as a litmus test for the enforcement of children's and data protection laws in the U.S. Eric Goldman, a professor at Santa Clara University School of Law, has been following the case for years and warns that the legal proceedings could set standards for future lawsuits against social media platforms. Should the court side with the plaintiffs' arguments, this could force far-reaching changes to Meta's products and data handling.

Reactions and legal assessment

Meta rejects the allegations and points to existing protective functions such as age verification, warning notices, and the option to convert minor users' accounts into private profiles. Company chief Mark Zuckerberg had emphasized in earlier statements that the company is investing heavily in safety teams and youth protection. Critics, however, consider these measures insufficient.

The case is being heard in a federal court in Oakland, where other states such as New Mexico and Kentucky have also filed or supported comparable lawsuits. Multiple attorneys general are thus pooling their resources to increase pressure on the company and to formulate a coordinated regulatory response.

Political consequences

Consumer protection organizations are demanding that Meta implement binding standards regardless of the outcome of the case. These include genuine age verification, the disclosure of algorithms for minor users, and clear caps on personalized advertising to children. Parent associations are also pushing for a legislative update to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) to address today's business models.

The lawsuit comes at a time when U.S. politics is increasingly discussing stricter rules for social media companies. At the federal level, legislative drafts are currently being considered that include, among other things, nighttime usage bans for minors and mandatory data protection audits. The proceedings in California could accelerate this debate.

What a ruling could mean

If the lawsuit is successful, Meta faces not only substantial damages but also a court order to restrict certain features for young users. Observers expect the company to appeal and to litigate the case through several instances. Until a final decision is made, years are likely to pass.

Regardless of the legal outcome, child protection advocates see the case as a symbol of a broader cultural shift in how digital platforms are handled. The demand to hold tech companies more accountable is increasingly being carried by a cross-party coalition of parents, teachers, and political decision-makers. The lawsuit from California marks a turning point in this context.