Dozens of States Sue Meta Over Social Media's Impact on American Youth

At least 32 states have filed lawsuits against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, claiming that the social media platforms have deeply affected the psychological and social realities of young Americans.

According to the 228-page complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Meta's business model specifically targets young users, monetizing their attention through data harvesting and targeted advertising. The company is accused of deploying features that prolong the time young users spend on social media for profit.

The lawsuit alleges that Meta has used powerful technologies to entice and engage youth and teens, disregarding the substantial dangers of its platforms. It claims that Meta has exploited and manipulated its vulnerable consumers, particularly teenagers and children, while concealing the harm caused to their mental and physical health.

The states involved in the lawsuit argue that Meta has misled the public about the prevalence of harmful content on its platforms, despite being aware of the significant physical and mental harm inflicted on young users by its features. The lawsuit points out that Meta's recommendation algorithm promotes compulsive use, while social comparison features like 'Likes' contribute to mental health issues and visual filters promote body dysmorphia and eating disorders.

The complaint accuses Meta of publishing misleading reports about user harms and refusing to address the impact of these features on young users' mental and physical health, even when presented with overwhelming evidence. The lawsuit claims that Meta has violated state and federal laws through deceptive and unlawful conduct.

Furthermore, the lawsuit states that Meta markets its platforms to children under 13 without seeking parental consent for collecting and monetizing their personal data, thus disregarding legal requirements. It warns that Meta's exploitative practices extend beyond social media platforms and into other domains, such as virtual reality and communication platforms.

In response to the lawsuit, Meta expressed disappointment and claimed that the attorneys general should have worked with industry companies to establish clear, age-appropriate standards for apps used by teens.

This isn't the first time lawsuits have been filed against major social media platforms on behalf of children and school districts. Google's YouTube and TikTok, owned by ByteDance, have also faced numerous legal actions regarding their addictiveness.