The lawsuit, filed in October 2024 and led by New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, alleges that Meta deliberately designed Facebook and Instagram to be addictive while concealing the mental health risks to children and teens. A bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general joined the action. Meta argued the claims were legally insufficient and sought dismissal before trial; the court disagreed, finding genuine disputes of fact regarding the company's liability.
For practitioners tracking consumer protection and product liability litigation, this ruling signals a significant hurdle cleared for the plaintiffs just weeks before trial. The court's denial of summary judgment suggests the judge found credible evidence supporting the states' core allegations about Meta's design practices and knowledge of harms. Attorneys representing Meta should expect the case to proceed on the merits, while those advising other social media platforms should monitor the trial outcome closely—a plaintiff victory could reshape liability exposure across the industry.