In a landmark trial, former Meta engineering director Arturo Béjar testified that the company intentionally ignored the presence of children under 13 to prioritize profits over safety.

  • Former Meta director Arturo Béjar testified that the company maintained a 'don’t ask, don’t tell' approach regarding users under 13.
  • The lawsuit alleges Meta prioritized engagement metrics and profits over the mental well-being of young users.
  • Meta faces legal action from multiple US states over child safety and privacy violations.

During a landmark federal trial in Oakland, California, Arturo Béjar, a former engineering director at Meta, delivered bombshell testimony regarding the company's handling of underage users. Béjar informed jurors that Instagram operated under a 'don’t ask, don’t tell' culture concerning children under the age of 13 on its platforms.

Béjar’s testimony highlighted a systemic prioritization of profit over user safety. He argued that Meta’s product design focused relentlessly on metrics such as frequency and duration of use, even when such engagement proved detrimental to the mental health of younger demographics. "If you step away from the product, they are not going to make any money," Béjar stated, emphasizing the conflict between corporate revenue and ethical responsibility.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this trial represents a pivotal moment in the regulation of Big Tech. The outcome could set a massive precedent for how social media giants are held accountable for the psychological impacts of their algorithms on minors and whether 'engagement-first' business models can continue to bypass child protection laws.

Safety was treated as an afterthought in a corporate culture driven almost exclusively by user growth and retention metrics.

The legal battle pits Meta against the states of California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey. These states allege that Meta deliberately engineered addictive features to exploit children and systematically hid these harms from the public. Furthermore, the lawsuit claims Meta routinely violates the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting data on children under 13 without parental consent.

Béjar, who worked at Facebook from 2009 to 2015 and returned as a contractor to address safety, has been a vocal critic. He previously testified before Congress in 2023, claiming that top executives, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg, were aware of the harms Instagram caused to teenagers but failed to implement meaningful changes.

In response, Meta has vehemently rejected the allegations. Defense attorney Paul Schmidt argued that the company takes its responsibilities seriously and is committed to working with parents and teens to address mental health concerns. Meta maintains that its platforms require users to be at least 13 years old, adhering to legal standards.

Did You Know?: Features like 'video autoplay' and 'popularity counters' (likes/follower counts) are specifically identified by experts as high-risk elements for teenage social comparison and mental health struggles.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the core accusation against Meta in this trial?
The states accuse Meta of designing addictive products that harm youth mental health and of knowingly allowing children under 13 to use their platforms.

2. How does Meta defend its practices?
Meta claims it follows COPPA guidelines, requires users to be 13+, and is actively working on safety tools and features to protect teenagers.