Meta disregarded its own research on teen harm, Tennessee lawyers tell jury

The long-awaited trial between Meta and the state of Tennessee began Monday in Nashville, with state attorneys arguing that the social media giant knowingly disregarded its own internal research indicating that Instagram harms teenagers. The lawsuit, filed by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, seeks financial penalties and a court order requiring Instagram to modify features that allegedly fuel addiction and mental health crises among young users.

State's case: Internal warnings ignored

During opening statements, state lawyer Tom Cartmell told the jury that Meta researchers repeatedly flagged how compulsive use of Instagram leads to eating disorders, depression, and self-harm among teens. He highlighted an internal 2017 document in which Meta product managers wrote that features such as notifications and infinite scroll "are inherently at odds with well-being" and recommended a public warning. "This warning never came," Cartmell said, arguing the company prioritized profit over safety by keeping addictive features like autoplay and infinite scroll to maximize ad revenue from young users.

Cartmell also explained the neurological impact, stating that Instagram triggers dopamine hits that promote addiction, particularly affecting developing teenage brains. The state contends that Meta designed the platform to keep teens engaged as long as possible, even at the expense of their mental health.

Meta's defense: Transparency and shared responsibility

Meta attorney Kevin Huff countered that the company has been transparent about the risks teens face on Instagram and actively works to identify and fix problems. He pointed to tools developed to limit problematic use and efforts to empower parents and teachers. "We think the evidence will show that Meta is doing its part and empowering others to do their part, because protecting teens online is a shared responsibility," Huff said, adding, "It takes a village." He emphasized that the internal documents cited by the state actually demonstrate the company's proactive approach to seeking out issues and improving the platform.

Broader legal landscape

The Tennessee case is one of 42 brought by U.S. states against Meta. It follows a significant loss for the company in New Mexico in March, where a jury found Meta liable for harming children and ordered $375 million in civil penalties. Thousands of additional lawsuits from families, school districts, and attorneys general are pending against Meta and other social media companies. The next high-profile trial is scheduled for April in Oakland, California, where attorneys general from 29 states will bring the first federal case against Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Snap over social media addiction and harm to children.

What's next

If the jury finds Meta liable in Tennessee, the trial will enter a second phase to determine damages. The outcome could set a precedent for the dozens of similar cases across the country. As legal scrutiny intensifies, Meta faces mounting pressure to overhaul its platform's design and safety measures for younger users.