On Tuesday, a crowd of parents, advocates and concerned citizens assembled outside the federal courthouse in Oakland, California, to watch the opening statements in the high‑profile trial against Meta Platforms. A large banner displayed the names of nearly 600 children and young adults who died after experiencing cyberbullying, sextortion or other social‑media‑related harms.
Among the names listed were Giovanni, 11, Bubba, 13, and Englyn, 14. Their families said the list represents “just the tip of the iceberg.” Lennon Torres, an advocate with the Heat Initiative, told reporters, “Behind us, justice is going to be served. The courtroom doors are open, and it is time that the public see what the executives at Meta have known all along: that their products are designed to addict and to harm children.”
State attorneys general seek billions in damages
Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are suing Meta for billions of dollars, alleging that the company knowingly designed Instagram and Facebook in ways that put young users at risk. The lawsuit does not focus on any single incident but claims Meta concealed the dangers of its platforms and misled the public about their safety.
Meta has denied the allegations, saying the trial will demonstrate the steps it has taken to make its services safer for families.
Parents see the case as a turning point
Many of the parents present have been involved in previous lawsuits, congressional hearings and public campaigns aimed at improving online safety for children. Amy Neville, whose 14‑year‑old son Alexander died from fentanyl poisoning after being lured by a drug dealer on Snapchat, described the trial as the “groundswell of public perception changing against these companies.” She added, “If we can keep holding them accountable over and over, something has to give, and I don’t want us to stop doing this until they’ve made their products safe by design.”
John DeMay, whose son Jordan took his own life at 17 after a sextortion scheme on Instagram, said he will be watching the evidence closely. “As this information starts to unfold, the American mothers and fathers who are not seeing this stuff every day can see it and go, ‘Oh my God, this is really what’s happening,'” he said.
State officials praised for their role
Several parents thanked the attorneys general for pursuing the case. Lori Schott of Colorado noted that Attorney General Phil Weiser had reviewed the content that appeared on her daughter Annalee’s social‑media feeds and read her journals after Annalee’s suicide at age 18. Schott told Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri, “Profits does not erase the responsibility of Big Tech and no company—no matter how wealthy, no matter how influential—should get to stand above the truth, the law and our children.”
Erin Popolo, whose daughter Emily Murillo died by suicide after intense cyberbullying, expressed optimism that the trial could lead to meaningful change. “I think that we’re going to make history here,” she said.
Recent related rulings
The Oakland trial follows a similar case earlier this year in New Mexico, where a judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million to address harms to young people. Most of that money—$420 million—will fund treatment services, with the remainder supporting awareness, prevention and screening programs over the next five years.
The outcome of the Oakland case could have significant financial implications for Meta and may shape how its platforms are designed and operated in the future. Parents and advocates are especially eager for internal Meta documents to be produced as evidence.
If you or someone you know needs help, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by calling or texting 988, or you can chat online at the Lifeline website.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
