Meta Youth Safety Case Moves Forward as Former Engineer Testifies

Former Meta engineer Arturo Béjar resumed testimony on Wednesday in a major U.S. federal trial examining allegations that Facebook and Instagram have harmed young users. The case, brought by a coalition of 29 states, is one of the most significant legal challenges yet to Meta’s approach to child and teen safety.

Béjar, who worked at Meta from 2009 to 2015 and later returned as a consultant from 2019 to 2021, told the court that the company had internal information showing that young users were experiencing significant problems on its platforms. He said the company’s reporting systems did not adequately capture the extent of user harm, focusing more heavily on content-policy violations than on the experiences of teenagers themselves.

His testimony is particularly important because he had previously raised concerns with senior Meta executives, including Chief Product Officer Chris Cox. Béjar has argued that the company had opportunities to address issues affecting young users but failed to take sufficient action.

The states accuse Meta of deliberately designing Facebook and Instagram to encourage excessive use among children and teenagers, while allegedly downplaying known safety risks. They are also challenging the company’s handling of data involving users under 13.

Meta strongly disputes the allegations and maintains that its evidence and safety measures have been mischaracterized. The company has also challenged Béjar’s testimony, although U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers allowed him to testify.

The trial could have broader implications for how major social media platforms design products for younger audiences, particularly around engagement features, safety systems and corporate responsibility. With billions of dollars potentially at stake, the case is being closely watched across the technology industry.