A landmark federal trial pitting Meta against four states over allegations that its Facebook and Instagram platforms harm children is set to begin this week in Oakland, California.

The case, brought by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, accuses the company of designing its social media products to be addictive to young users and misleading the public about their safety. It is one of thousands of lawsuits Meta faces related to child safety on its platforms.

States are seeking financial damages that could total as much as $1.4 trillion in theory, along with court orders requiring changes such as age restrictions and the elimination of features like infinite scroll. The trial is expected to last about seven weeks.

This case stands out among broader litigation involving dozens of states. Meta has already faced significant judgments in related matters, including hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties ordered in New Mexico over claims involving misleading users about child safety and platform harms.

Meta has denied the allegations and argued that the requested damages are excessive. The proceedings will test claims about the company's knowledge of youth mental health impacts and its product design decisions.

The outcome could influence similar lawsuits nationwide and force substantial shifts in how Meta operates its platforms if the states prevail on their demands for both monetary awards and injunctive relief.