Why are 33 US states suing Meta?

In the United States, 33 states have filed a lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, alleging that these social media platforms are causing harm to the mental health of young users by fostering addictive behaviours.

This issue is not new, as social media companies have faced previous lawsuits highlighting the detrimental effects of their platforms on the well-being of young people.

The lawsuit

• On Tuesday, October 24, a complaint was filed by the attorneys general of 33 US states, including California and New York.

• They asserted that Meta has repeatedly misled the public regarding the risks associated with its platforms and knowingly encouraged children and teenagers to engage in addictive and compulsive use of social media.

• The lawsuit contends that Meta has utilized powerful technologies to entice and ensnare youth for profit, while concealing the substantial dangers of its social media platforms.

• It also accuses Meta of violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act by collecting data on children under the age of 13.

• New York Attorney General Letitia James, one of the attorneys general who signed the lawsuit, emphasized that social media companies, including Meta, have played a role in contributing to a national youth mental health crisis and need to be held accountable.

• Additionally, nine other states have brought forth similar allegations in their respective lawsuits.

• Research has highlighted the adverse effects of children's use of Meta's social media platforms, including links to depression, anxiety, insomnia, disruptions to education and daily life, and various other negative outcomes.

Meta's response

• A spokesperson for Meta expressed the company's shared commitment with the attorneys general to provide safe and positive online experiences for teenagers, citing the introduction of over 30 tools to support teens and their families.
• The spokesperson also expressed disappointment that the attorneys general had chosen to pursue legal action instead of collaborating with companies in the industry to establish clear, age-appropriate standards for the various apps used by teenagers.

Numerous studies have indicated that prolonged use of social media can have detrimental effects on the mental health of young individuals.