Meta argues social media addiction does not exist in multi‑state lawsuit

Meta Inc. has denied that social media addiction is a real phenomenon as a federal trial over a lawsuit filed by several U.S. states begins. The suit, which accuses Meta’s platforms of deliberately designing features that keep users engaged for excessive periods, alleges that the company’s algorithms contribute to addictive behavior that harms public health. In its opening statement, Meta’s legal team argued that the term “social media addiction” lacks a clear scientific definition and that the company’s products do not meet the criteria for a medical or behavioral disorder.

The case, which involves states such as California, New York, and Texas, is part of a broader effort by state attorneys general to hold major tech firms accountable for user welfare. The trial will examine evidence from behavioral scientists, platform engineers, and user data to determine whether Meta’s design practices can be considered a form of exploitation. Both sides have called for expert testimony on the psychological impacts of algorithmic content curation, and the court has scheduled a series of hearings over the next several months.

As the proceedings unfold, the outcome could shape regulatory approaches to digital platform design and set precedents for how addiction claims are treated in the tech industry. The trial’s findings may influence future legislation and corporate policies aimed at mitigating potential harms associated with prolonged social media use.