Landmark Legal Battle: Meta's Instagram Sued by Multiple States for Devastating Mental Health Impact on Youth
Dozens of states filed a lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Instagram, claiming that the platform's addictive features, like infinite news feeds and constant notifications, are causing significant harm to the mental health of young users
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, is facing lawsuits from dozens of states. The lawsuits claim that the social media giant is negatively impacting the mental health of young users through features that are allegedly addictive, such as infinite news feeds and frequent notifications that constantly demand their attention. The 33 attorneys general who filed the federal lawsuit in California argue that Meta's products are causing harm to minors and are contributing to a mental health crisis in the United States.
"By intentionally incorporating manipulative features into its platforms, Meta has profited from the pain of children, fueling addiction and lowering their self-esteem," stated Letitia James, New York's attorney general and a participant in the federal lawsuit. "Social media companies, including Meta, bear responsibility for contributing to a national crisis in youth mental health, and they must be held accountable. I am proud to join my fellow attorneys general in putting an end to Meta's harmful tactics and ensuring the online safety of children."
In addition to the massive multi-state federal lawsuit, eight more attorneys general filed separate lawsuits against Meta in state courts across the country on Tuesday. These lawsuits accuse the social media giant of causing harm to users' mental health through its addictive technology.
Battle lines renewed
In a fresh legal move on Tuesdays, multiple states are striving to impose restrictions on major tech platforms due to concerns that these social media companies are contributing to an increase in youth depression and thoughts of self-harm.
A range of states, including Arkansas and Louisiana, have recently introduced legislation aimed at restricting social media platforms when it comes to serving teenagers and children. These laws require online platforms to fulfill certain conditions, such as obtaining parental consent before creating an account for a minor or verifying users' ages.
In response, the tech industry has contested some of these laws in court. For instance, they argue that Arkansas' social media law infringes on residents' First Amendment rights to access information.
The complaints lodged in state courts claim that Meta has violated various state-specific laws. For instance, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb's complaint accuses Meta of misleading the public about the safety of their platforms, thus breaching the district's consumer protection statute.
In a statement, Meta expressed their shared commitment with the attorneys general in providing safe and positive online experiences for teenagers. They also highlighted their introduction of more than 30 tools to support teens and their families. Meta expressed disappointment in the attorneys general for opting to pursue this course of action instead of collaborating with industry companies to establish clear and age-appropriate standards for the numerous apps used by teenagers.
More battles in California
The lawsuits filed on Tuesdays precede a crucial hearing before a federal judge in California, where numerous similar allegations against the broader tech industry will be considered. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers is scheduled to preside over the hearing on Friday morning, during which Google, Meta, Snap, and TikTok are anticipated to present arguments in favor of dismissing nearly 200 complaints lodged by private plaintiffs. These complaints accuse the companies of either addicting or harming their users.
The following states are participating in the multi-state federal lawsuit on Tuesday: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
In addition to the federal lawsuit, there are also suits filed in state courts by the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, and Vermont.
