Meta under fire: 42 state attorneys general target addicting teen users on Sociable

"Sociable" presents the latest insights on significant social media developments and trends by industry expert Andrew Hutchinson, featured on Social Media Today. This could pose a challenge for Meta and potentially impact other social applications relying on algorithmic feeds.

Today, a coalition of 42 U.S. attorneys general has launched legal action against the company, accusing it of utilizing addictive processes to hook young users on their apps.

As reported by CNBC:

Meta is facing legal action from attorneys general in 33 states, who have filed a federal suit in the Northern District of California. Additionally, nine attorneys general will be filing suits in their respective states. The allegations assert that Meta intentionally engineered its algorithms, alerts, and notifications to increase user engagement among young individuals, keeping them within its apps for extended periods and encouraging them to repeatedly return.

Furthermore, the numerous claims also assert that Meta's platforms have a detrimental effect on teenagers' mental well-being due to social comparison. Additionally, Meta is accused of violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by gathering personal information from users below the age of 13. The states aim to cease these unethical activities and demand suitable sanctions and compensation.

Depending on how the case is handled, Meta's business could face significant consequences. Meta is expected to explain its compliance with the law and highlight the precautions it has taken to safeguard younger users. However, if the case progresses, Meta may incur additional penalties and potentially encounter new operational restrictions. This lawsuit adds to the growing trend of legal action being taken against social apps for negatively impacting young users.

Earlier this month, TikTok faced legal action from the state of Utah for employing an algorithmic sorting system that promotes addictive user experiences through user engagement.

In March, Arkansas also initiated legal proceedings against TikTok and Facebook, citing concerns regarding mental health effects and privacy issues.

Proving that social networks are addictive according to the letter of the law poses a significant challenge. This is due to the fact that addiction is often associated with substances, and the terminology does not directly apply to social networks.

However, a crucial link can be established through the triggering of dopamine. In this context, dopamine serves as the relevant substance, and social platforms employ features that stimulate its release, ultimately leading to addictive behavior.

Legal precedent exists for this, exemplified by the utilization of drugs that have elicited adverse reactions by activating dopamine receptors. However, it may be a stretch to imply that social media applications possess the ability to evoke a similar level of response and subsequent user behavior solely through algorithms and in-app incentives.

Nonetheless, an increasing body of academic knowledge highlights the detrimental effects of social media engagement, suggesting that this consortium of attorneys-general likely possesses a strong case.

Could younger users be banned from social apps? Could algorithms be eliminated or could the platforms be required to offer an opt-out for algorithmic usage, like it currently happens in the EU? The latter option seems more probable, although the following legal discussion may prolong for a considerable period.