First Thing: Meta’s treatment of children on social media in spotlight as landmark trial set to begin

Several US states have accused Instagram and Facebook’s parent company of deliberately causing young people harm with its products.

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More than half of the states in the US have joined together in an unprecedented lawsuit against Meta that goes to trial on Tuesday, accusing the parent company of Instagram and Facebook of deliberately designing addictive products that lured in young people and caused them harm.

The sweeping legal proceedings could have profound consequences for the company.

The attorneys general say that if Meta is found liable, damages could be as high as $200bn – equivalent to the company’s 2025 annual revenue.

The lawmakers are also asking that Meta be compelled to change the design of its products to make them safer for children, which may have longer-term effects than a fine.

What is Meta accused of? The 233-page lawsuit, first filed in October 2023, alleges that Meta regularly collects data on children under the age of 13 without parental permission.

The lawmakers claim in court documents that Meta “refuses to abandon its use of known harmful features” and that its motives are based solely on profit.

How has Meta responded? Meta denies all allegations and says: “Rather than sticking to the facts or the law, the states have instead decided to chase an outlandish payout.

The state AGs may call this a landmark case, but their limited claims are unsubstantiated and their financial demands are vastly disproportionate.” Why have conditions on board the ship become contentious? The Lincoln, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier left port from San Diego on 21 November 2025 and has now set a modern record for the longest time at sea without a port call.

It has been more than 250 days since it has touched land.

What else is causing concern with US navy ships? A US guided-missile destroyer reportedly spent four days adrift and without power in the South China Sea in July.

The USS Benfold was reported to have been towed to Subic Bay in the Philippines.

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