If Meta Loses, Instagram and Facebook Could Be Remade — Major Trial Seeks Sweeping Product Changes

Meta is facing a potentially landmark jury trial after 30 US states filed a 2023 lawsuit accusing the company of violating federal and state laws protecting children and teenagers. Plaintiffs argue that core features of Instagram and Facebook — designed to maximize engagement — have harmed young users and should be substantially reworked or removed.

What the States Are Asking For

The coalition is seeking both massive damages and structural remedies. Among the changes they want a court to order:

• Parental verification for teenage accounts
• Limits or redesign of recommendation algorithms the states call "dopamine‑manipulating"
• Removal of image filters that noticeably alter appearance
• An end to autoplaying videos and infinite scroll
• Restrictions on creating multiple accounts
• A ban on ephemeral posts for minors (for example, Stories)

These remedies, the states say, target features that keep young people on the platforms for longer and encourage repeated engagement through frequent notifications and algorithmic recommendations.

Damages and Legal Context

The states are seeking damages that could total upwards of $1 trillion and want nationwide injunctions that would change how Meta’s platforms operate across the United States. The plaintiffs represent nearly two‑thirds of the US population.

Recent Rulings and Evidence

A New Mexico judge, Bryan Biedscheid, recently fined Meta $942 million and ordered changes including removing like counts for users under 18, banning teens from sending or receiving nudity on the platforms, and limiting push notifications to certain hours. In that decision the judge characterized Meta as a "public nuisance," comparing its effect to pollution that harms a broad population. Meta said it would appeal.

A recent federal court ruling found social media to be a factor in deteriorating mental health among young people [Reuters]

Prosecutors point to more than two million documents produced by Meta in discovery and to the company's own internal research. That research, according to filings, linked engagement metrics like "likes" to social comparison and to outcomes such as increased loneliness, worse body image, and negative mood among young people.

Individual testimony: In related litigation, a woman known as Kaley described creating dozens of accounts as a child to generate likes and boost engagement; she testified she was nine when the behavior began and was later diagnosed with depression.

Meta’s Response and The Trial

Meta has strongly denied the allegations. "We strongly disagree with these allegations and are confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people," a company spokeswoman said. The company’s market capitalization is roughly $1.5 trillion.

The trial will be heard by US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in California, a jurist known for direct questioning and for presiding over complex, high‑profile matters. If the 30 states prevail, a court order could compel Meta to implement platform changes nationwide rather than only in a single state.

What Could Change—and Why It Matters

Removing or fundamentally altering features such as like counts, infinite scroll, autoplay, and ephemeral posts would mark a major shift in social media product design. Platforms say these features drive user engagement and revenue; regulators and plaintiffs say they contribute to harm among children and teenagers. The court’s decision could set a precedent that reshapes how social networks balance product design, business interests, and child safety.

What to watch: the trial’s findings about Meta’s knowledge of harms, the scope of any ordered remedies, and whether courts are willing to impose design changes that affect millions of users nationwide.