Expert testimony about Meta’s internal youth study is presented during the ongoing New Mexico trial.
A recent internal study by Meta has added a new layer to the debate about children and social media. The study suggests that even when parents try to monitor and limit their children’s time online, it may not reduce problematic use. This finding came to light during an ongoing court case in New Mexico against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram.
The case, now in its third week, is being heard in Santa Fe. It centers on claims that Meta failed to protect young users from harm. Testimony about the study has become a key part of the trial.
What the Internal Study Found
The study was known as Project MYST, which stands for Meta and Youth Social Emotional Trends Survey. It was conducted by Meta along with the University of Chicago during the 2023 to 2024 school year. Around 1,000 teenagers and their parents took part. According to testimony given in court, the study found that 1 in 10 parents and 1 in 3 teenagers reported signs of compulsive use of Meta’s platforms. These platforms include Facebook and Instagram.
Dr. Anna Lembke, a psychiatrist from Stanford University who specializes in addiction, shared details of the study with jurors. She explained that the findings challenge a common belief. Many people assume that if children are spending too much time on social media, it is because parents are not paying attention. However, the study suggests that this may not be true.
Dr. Lembke said that teens who spent a lot of time on the platforms were often the ones whose parents were already trying to step in. These parents were attempting to supervise, manage, and reduce their children’s use. In other words, increased parental involvement did not necessarily lead to less screen time.
Parents Under Pressure
During her testimony, Dr. Lembke emphasized that most parents are trying their best. She said many are experiencing high levels of stress because it is difficult to manage a child who may be addicted to social media. She described how hard it can be for parents to get their children to stop using these platforms. The struggle can create tension at home and leave parents feeling helpless.
Dr. Lembke also told the court that she was hired by the state of New Mexico as an expert witness. She charges for her time reviewing documents and for appearing in court. Her testimony is expected to continue as the trial moves forward.
The Lawsuit in New Mexico
The lawsuit was filed in 2023 by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez. The case targets Meta Platforms and its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg. The state claims that Meta failed to protect children from serious risks, including sexual abuse, online solicitation, and human trafficking.
The trial is being held in the 1st Judicial District Court in Santa Fe before Judge Bryan Biedscheid and is scheduled to run through late March. So far, the trial has included testimony from several expert witnesses. These experts reviewed internal company studies, emails, and other documents that the state obtained during the legal discovery process.
Claims About Youth Safety
In opening statements, attorneys for New Mexico argued that internal Meta documents tell a different story from the company’s public statements. They claim that the company knows more about the risks to young users than it has admitted publicly. The state also argues that Meta places special importance on attracting and keeping teenagers and preteens on its platforms. According to the state’s attorney, young users tend to stay engaged for long periods, which increases advertising revenue.
Meta’s legal team has pushed back against these claims. The company’s attorney noted that about 3 billion people around the world use Meta platforms. He acknowledged that harmful content and online predators sometimes find ways to avoid automated safety systems. However, he said that Meta removes the vast majority of harmful content, including material related to child exploitation and self-harm.
Parental Controls and Their Limits
One of the most important points raised in court was about parental monitoring tools. The MYST study reportedly found no clear link between parental supervision and a teen’s ability to control their attention on the platform. In simple terms, even when parents tried to monitor their children’s online activity, it did not necessarily improve the teens’ self-control or reduce compulsive behavior.
The study also found that teens who had experienced trauma in their lives were more likely to report problematic social media use. This suggests that personal struggles outside the platform may play a role in how young people use social media.
A Wider Legal Battle
The New Mexico case is not the only lawsuit facing Meta. Across the United States, thousands of cases have been filed against Meta and other social media companies. These lawsuits claim that platforms are designed in ways that encourage compulsive use, especially among young people. Many plaintiffs argue that this has led to mental health problems.
In addition to the New Mexico case, another trial is underway in the Los Angeles Superior Court. In that case, a woman identified as Kaley has sued Meta and YouTube. She claims that the platforms created addictive products that harmed her and other young users.
While many lawsuits focus on addiction and mental health concerns, the New Mexico case also highlights another issue. The state argues that Facebook and Instagram have become spaces where sexual predators can target teens and preteens.
The Bigger Picture
The testimony about Project MYST has shifted some of the attention toward parents. For years, debates about teen social media use often placed blame on families. The idea was that stricter rules at home could solve the problem. However, the study presented in court suggests that the issue may be more complex. Parents who try to supervise their children closely may still struggle to limit their use. In some cases, teens who use social media heavily may already have parents who are actively involved.
This raises difficult questions about responsibility. If parental controls are not enough, then what role should tech companies play? How much responsibility should fall on families, and how much on the platforms themselves? As the trial continues, jurors will weigh the evidence and decide whether Meta did enough to protect young users. The outcome could have wide effects, not only for Meta but also for other social media companies facing similar lawsuits.
For now, one thing is clear. The conversation about kids and social media is far from over. The findings from Project MYST have added new details to an already heated debate, and many parents across the country are watching closely.
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