Former Meta Engineer Says Safety Tools Were Designed to Fail in Teen Harm Trial
Former Meta engineer testified that social media safety tools were designed to fail.
Why it matters: This testimony sheds light on internal product decisions prioritizing engagement over teen safety, potentially reshaping social media regulation and corporate liability. Counsel handling tech litigation and compliance should track these revelations closely.
- Arturo Béjar, former Meta engineering director, said Meta used a 'don't ask, don't tell' approach to underage users under 13.
- Meta allegedly prioritized profits and engagement, deliberately designing features to increase teen screen time, worsening mental health.
- 29 states, led by California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, are suing Meta, seeking $200 billion and demanding sweeping platform changes.
- The lawsuit requests removing 'like' buttons, eliminating infinite scroll, enforcing strict age checks, and banning anonymous teen accounts.
Former Meta engineering director Arturo Béjar testified that Meta adopted a “don't ask, don't tell” policy towards children under 13 using its platforms, effectively ignoring underage usage concerns. Béjar claimed the company prioritized user engagement and profits over safety, designing features to increase screen time even at the expense of teen mental health. This testimony comes amid a trial where attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey accuse Meta of contributing to a youth mental health crisis and violating federal child privacy laws.
Deputy Attorney General Megan O’Neill added that Meta used research on adolescent brain development to engage young users more effectively but failed to prevent underage use. The lawsuit involves 29 states in total and seeks roughly $200 billion in damages along with radical changes to Meta’s platform design and content algorithms.
Among the requested reforms are removing the “like” button, eliminating infinite scroll, enforcing strict age verification for minors, and banning multiple or anonymous teen accounts. Families of social media harm victims have gathered outside the courthouse displaying nearly 600 names, pushing for accountability and transparency.
Meta denies the allegations and claims it has taken significant steps towards safety improvements. However, Béjar's insider testimony that internal safety concerns and proposed improvements were often ignored could influence ongoing debates on social media regulation and corporate liability.
The trial’s outcome could trigger seismic shifts in how social media platforms balance engagement, data privacy, and user safety, impacting tech industry practices broadly. Legal professionals focused on litigation and compliance in technology should monitor this landmark case closely.
By the numbers:
- $200 billion — damages sought by plaintiffs in multi-state lawsuit
- 29 states — involved in broader legal action against Meta
- 600 names — displayed by families of young victims at courthouse rally
Yes, but: Meta contends it has made significant safety improvements and denies claims that it designed products to harm youth.
What's next: The trial outcome could set precedent for social media platform regulations and design mandates, with broader industry impacts expected.