Families of Social Media Victims See Landmark Moment as Meta Trial Begins

Outside a federal courthouse in Oakland, California, on Tuesday, a banner bearing the names of nearly 600 children and young adults stretched across the pavement. Written in black ink were the names of those who died from social media-related harms, including suicide after cyberbullying or sextortion. Among them were Giovanni, 11; Bubba, 13; and Englyn, 14. Parents said the list was "just the tip of the iceberg."

The demonstration coincided with opening statements in a trial against Meta Platforms, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook. Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey are seeking billions of dollars in damages, alleging that Meta designed its platforms to addict and harm young users while misleading the public about the risks.

Lennon Torres, an advocate with the Heat Initiative, said outside the courthouse: "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."

Many of the parents present have attended previous hearings and congressional sessions on online child safety. They view this trial as a turning point, the culmination of years of pressure on social media firms. Meta has already lost two major cases this year over harms to minors, both of which it is appealing.

Amy Neville, whose 14-year-old son Alexander died from fentanyl poisoning after being deceived by a drug dealer on Snapchat, said the trial reflects a "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."

The lawsuit does not focus on a single incident but on broader claims that Meta made design choices that endangered young users. The states also allege that Meta knew the platforms were dangerous and lied about it. Meta has denied the allegations and says the trial will demonstrate its safety efforts.

Parents are eager for internal Meta documents to be revealed. John DeMay, whose son Jordan died by suicide at 17 after a sextortion scheme on Instagram, said, "As this information starts to unfold and unfold and unfold, the American people... can see it and go, 'Oh my God, this is really what's happening.'"

Lori Schott of Colorado, whose daughter Annalee died by suicide at 18, said Attorney General Phil Weiser had reviewed Annalee's journals and social media feeds. In a message to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri, Schott said, "Profits does not erase the responsibility of Big Tech and no company — no matter how wealthy, no matter how influential, no matter how untouchable it feels it is — 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 hope: "I think that we're going to make history here."