Tennessee trial alleges Meta ignored research on teen mental health

State attorneys for Tennessee told a Nashville jury that Meta Platforms leadership deliberately disregarded internal research highlighting Instagram's negative impacts on teenagers to maximise engagement and advertising revenue. The allegations were presented during opening statements in a seven-week state court trial in Tennessee. Lawyers stated that Meta researchers repeatedly warned management that teenagers were compulsively using the platform, leading to issues including eating disorders, depression, and self-harm.

Reuters reported that lawyers accused Meta of retaining features such as autoplay, notifications, and infinite scroll despite these internal warnings. The features were allegedly designed to maximise time spent on Instagram and increase advertisement views. Tennessee claims Meta violated the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act by failing to disclose known risks, misleading the public regarding platform safety, and encouraging compulsive behaviour among young users.

Meta attorney Kevin Huff countered that the company has remained transparent regarding the risks teenagers face on Instagram and the volume of dangerous content detected. Huff stated that Meta actively searches for platform problems to fix them, highlighting tools developed to limit problematic use and empower parents and teachers. He urged jurors to evaluate whether Meta should bear sole responsibility for broader societal issues like suicide, child exploitation, and addiction, arguing that online safety is a shared responsibility.

The lawsuit seeks financial penalties alongside a court order requiring Meta to modify platform features deemed harmful to adolescent mental health. Nearly every state in the United States has filed claims against Meta over its platforms' alleged impact on children. Over two dozen lawsuits have been consolidated in multidistrict litigation in San Francisco, while numerous states have initiated proceedings in local courts. Additionally, Meta and other social media firms face thousands of lawsuits brought by individual plaintiffs and school districts.