Attorneys general from 33 U.S. states, including New York and California, have filed lawsuits against Meta and its Instagram platform. The lawsuits claim that Meta's social media platforms are contributing to a youth mental health crisis by being highly addictive.
Deceptive practices alleged
The complaints accuse Meta of repeatedly misleading the public about the dangers of its platforms, alleging that the company knowingly enticed children and teenagers into compulsive use of social media for profit. The lawsuits were filed in an Oakland, California, federal court (as per the report of Reuters).
Negative outcomes associated with social media use
Research is cited in the complaints, linking the use of Meta's social media platforms by children to negative outcomes such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, and disruptions in education and daily life.
Meta responds with disappointment
Meta expressed disappointment in response to the lawsuits, stating that the attorneys general could have worked with the industry to create age-appropriate standards for apps used by teenagers.
Further lawsuits filed
Eight additional U.S. states and Washington, D.C. are also filing lawsuits against Meta, bringing the total number of authorities taking action against the company to 42.
Effect on Meta's stock
Following the news of the lawsuits, Meta's shares fell by 0.6% on the Nasdaq.
Growing legal actions against social media
These lawsuits are part of a larger trend of legal actions against social media companies concerning their impact on children and teenagers. Meta, TikTok, and YouTube already face hundreds of lawsuits related to the addictive nature of social media.
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Whistleblower's revelations
The focus on Meta stems in part from a whistleblower's release of documents in 2021, which revealed that the company was aware of Instagram's addictive qualities and its exacerbation of body image issues among teenage girls.
Allegations of cultivating addiction
The lawsuits allege that Meta has been actively encouraging children and teenagers to spend more time on social media platforms, even knowing that this could lead to addiction. The company is accused of prioritizing profit over the well-being of its young users.
Violations and deception
States accuse Meta of violating laws that prohibit the collection of data from children under the age of 13 and of deceptively denying the harmful effects of its social media platforms.
Expansion into virtual reality
The complaints also suggest that Meta is extending its harmful practices into virtual reality through platforms like Horizon Worlds and its messaging apps, WhatsApp and Messenger.
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Congressional inaction
The lawsuits come at a time when the U.S. Congress has been unable to pass new online protections for children, despite years of discussions.
