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A closely watched trial examining whether Meta knowingly designed Instagram in ways that harmed teenagers began Monday in Nashville, The Guardian reported.
During opening statements, attorneys representing the state of Tennessee accused Meta of prioritizing engagement and advertising revenue despite internal research warning that certain Instagram features could encourage compulsive use among younger users.
Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, denied that it ignored potential risks. Its attorneys argued that the company has investigated safety concerns, disclosed information about harmful content and introduced tools intended to help teenagers, parents and educators manage social media use.
Tennessee Points to Meta’s Internal Research
Tennessee attorneys told jurors that Meta researchers had repeatedly identified concerns about teenagers spending excessive amounts of time on Instagram.
The state alleges that features such as autoplay, frequent notifications and infinite scrolling were designed to keep users on the platform longer, exposing them to more advertising. According to the lawsuit, Meta failed to make meaningful changes even after its own employees raised concerns about how these features could affect younger users.
During the opening presentation, an attorney for the state cited a 2017 internal document in which Meta product managers reportedly acknowledged that certain engagement features could conflict with user well-being.
The state contends that Meta failed to adequately warn families about those concerns.
Tennessee also alleges that Instagram’s reward-driven design can be especially difficult for children and teenagers to resist because their brains are still developing.
Meta Says Its Research Shows an Effort to Improve Safety
A defense attorney argued that the internal records cited by Tennessee show the company was actively studying potential problems rather than disregarding them.
Meta says it has developed features intended to reduce problematic Instagram use and has provided parents and educators with resources for helping teenagers navigate social media more safely.
The company’s attorneys are expected to argue that protecting young users requires cooperation among technology companies, parents, schools and other institutions.
Tennessee Seeks Penalties and Changes to Instagram
The Tennessee attorney general’s office is seeking financial penalties and a court order requiring Meta to change aspects of Instagram that the state alleges are harmful to teenagers.
The trial is expected to last approximately seven weeks. Should the jury find Meta liable, the case would move into a second phase in which the judge would determine the appropriate penalties or other relief.
Tennessee’s lawsuit is one of dozens of cases filed by state governments accusing Meta of misleading the public about the risks its platforms may pose to younger users.
The company is also facing thousands of claims brought by families, school districts and public officials against Meta and other social media companies.
More Social Media Trials Are Approaching
The Tennessee proceedings follow a March 2026 New Mexico verdict in which a jury found Meta liable and imposed $375 million in civil penalties.
Another major trial is expected to begin in August in Oakland, CA. That federal case, brought by attorneys general from 29 states, will be the first federal trial focused on allegations that Meta’s platforms contributed to social media addiction and harm involving children.
The outcomes of these cases could influence future lawsuits over whether social media companies can be held responsible for platform designs that allegedly encourage compulsive use or expose young people to harmful content.
Could Social Media Companies Be Held Accountable for Harm to Children?
Lawsuits against Meta and other social media companies allege that certain platform features were designed to encourage compulsive use despite known risks to younger users. Families may have legal options depending on the circumstances.
