The social media landscape is facing intense scrutiny as Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, stands trial in Oakland, California. The landmark case, which began on August 19, 2026, centers on allegations that Meta deliberately designed its platforms to hook young users and prioritize engagement over child safety. The trial, expected to last six weeks, is a critical test of accountability for social media companies.
At the heart of the case is Arturo Béjar, a former Meta engineer who has become a key witness for the consortium of states led by California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey. Béjar, who worked on safety issues at Meta for eight years, has provided damning testimony about the company’s culture and practices. His insights offer a rare glimpse into the internal workings of one of the world’s most powerful tech companies.
Béjar’s Testimony: A Culture of Prioritizing Engagement Over Safety
Béjar’s testimony paints a troubling picture of Meta’s corporate culture. He described a company obsessed with user numbers and consistently pushing safety concerns to the side. According to Béjar, only CEO Mark Zuckerberg had the power to change this culture, but he did not. Béjar stated, “”
The states allege that Meta designed features such as infinite scrolling and the ‘like’ button to keep young users engaged for longer periods. These features, they argue, were intentionally created to make the platforms addictive. Meta has denied these allegations, with attorney Paul Schmidt arguing that the company was sensitive to the risks to teens and sought to address them.
Internal Studies and Failed Safety Features
Béjar testified that he had seen several internal Meta studies highlighting risks for teens on Facebook and Instagram. These studies surveyed users, including teenagers, about their experiences with harmful content and negative feelings associated with the platforms. Despite these findings, Béjar claimed that efforts to introduce or change features to address these risks were consistently overlooked in favor of policies that boosted usership and revenue.
Béjar criticized features like video autoplay, ‘like’ counters, and infinite scroll, calling them “inherently unsafe for teenagers.” He also described safety features introduced by Meta, such as Instagram’s ‘quiet mode,’ as “designed to fail.” These features, he argued, were ineffective because they were optional settings rather than defaults. “Most people will not turn the setting on,” Béjar said. “It’s like you have to turn on the air bag every time you get into the car.”
The Broader Implications of the Trial
The trial is one of thousands of lawsuits against social media companies alleging that their platforms are addictive and have fueled youth mental health problems. The case is significant not only for Meta but also for the broader tech industry, as it could set a precedent for how social media companies are held accountable for the design of their platforms.
The states are seeking changes to the way Meta operates its platforms, including restrictions on features such as infinite scrolling and likes, tighter controls for younger users, and stronger measures to prevent children under 13 from accessing the platforms. If the states succeed, the consequences could go beyond a financial penalty and affect features that millions of people encounter every day on Instagram and Facebook.
As the trial continues, the world watches to see how the court will rule on these critical issues. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for the future of social media and the protection of young users.
