Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is facing a federal lawsuit filed by dozens of US states, alleging that the company misled the public about the risks associated with using social media, thus contributing to a mental health crisis among young people. The lawsuit accuses Meta of using addictive features to “ensnare” users while concealing the “substantial dangers” of its platforms. It claims that Meta broke consumer protection laws through “deceptive” conduct and also collected data from children under 13, violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with 33 other attorneys general, is leading this legal action, stating that “social media companies, including Meta, have contributed to a national youth mental health crisis, and they must be held accountable.” Nine other states have also filed similar claims in their lawsuits.
Meta responded by expressing disappointment in the lawsuits and emphasizing its commitment to providing safe and positive online experiences for teens. The company has introduced more than 30 tools to support teens and their families.
This lawsuit represents a significant legal challenge for Meta and comes in the wake of extensive litigation already facing the company from families, young people, and school districts regarding the mental health impact of its platforms. The action follows an investigation into Meta’s practices in 2021 after whistleblower Frances Haugen testified that the company knew its products could harm children.
Meta has contested the notion that Instagram is harmful to young people’s mental health, citing research that suggests many teens find the platform helpful during challenging moments. However, there is also substantial research indicating that excessive social media use can have detrimental effects on young people’s mental health. In the UK, an investigation into the death of Molly Russell concluded that online content contributed to the negative effects that led to her passing.
The states involved in the lawsuit seek financial damages and a halt to what they perceive as Meta’s harmful practices, particularly naming features such as likes, alerts, and filters that are alleged to promote body dysmorphia in young users. Body dysmorphia is a condition in which individuals obsessively focus on perceived flaws in their appearance that are often unnoticed by others. The lawsuit asserts that Meta’s design choices and practices exploit young users’ susceptibility to addiction.
