Meta Trial: Allegations of Prioritizing Profits Over Safety for Youth on Social Media Platforms
A former engineering director at Meta testified in a trial that the company had a "don't ask, don't tell" approach to kids under 13 on its platforms. The trial, involving Meta and four states, accuses the tech giant of prioritizing profits over safety and contributing to the youth mental health crisis. The lawsuit alleges that Meta knowingly designed features that addict children to its platforms and collect data on children under 13 without parental consent.
The former employee testified that Meta's attitude towards users under 13 was "Don't ask, don't tell." The company denies the claims and emphasizes its commitment to safety. The trial will address important issues like teen mental health and social media use, with the states seeking changes to user experiences and financial damages.
The former employee highlighted features on Meta platforms that he deemed unsafe for teenagers, such as video autoplay and popularity counters. Despite Meta's age requirement of 13 for account creation, the employee found thousands of kids under 13 on Instagram. Meta introduced safety features like "Take a Break," but the employee criticized them as ineffective and easily dismissible.
The trial will continue to address the allegations against Meta and its impact on youth mental health. The states are seeking an injunction to stop Meta from offering harmful products to teens and to hold the company accountable for its actions. The former employee's testimony sheds light on the company's approach to safety and its impact on young users.