States Take Legal Action Against Meta
California and 32 other states have filed a lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, alleging that the social media giant knowingly designed and deployed harmful features on its platforms Facebook and Instagram, putting the mental health of young people at risk. The 233-page lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Northern California, accuses Meta of violating state consumer protection laws and a federal law aimed at protecting the privacy of children under 13. Other states, including Florida, Utah, and Vermont, have also filed separate lawsuits against Meta, bringing the total number of states and Washington, D.C. taking legal action to 41.
States Address Mental Health Dangers
The legal actions by the states aim to address the potential mental health dangers associated with social media platforms, such as body image issues, anxiety, and depression. At a news conference, California Attorney General Rob Bonta compared Meta to the tobacco industry, stating that the company hid and lied about the substantial dangers of its products. The investigation into Meta’s practices started in 2021, with state attorneys general focusing on the company’s promotion of Instagram to children and young people.
Meta’s Tactics and Allegations
The lawsuit alleges that Meta employed various strategies to compel young people to spend more time on its platform, including features like infinite scrolling, constant notifications, and disappearing content. The lawsuit further claims that Meta failed to address the harms of its platform, despite knowing through internal research that it was potentially dangerous to teenagers. Features such as the “like” button and beauty filters are said to contribute to issues like body dysmorphia. Meta has responded by stating its commitment to keeping teens safe and highlighting the tools it has rolled out to support young people and families.
Scrutiny and Internal Documents
The scrutiny over Meta’s impact on the mental health of young people increased after former Facebook product manager Frances Haugen disclosed internal company documents. These documents revealed research showing that Facebook is “toxic for teen girls,” exacerbating body image issues and suicidal thoughts. Meta has disputed the characterization of its research and emphasized that Instagram can also have positive effects on issues like loneliness and sadness. In response to the concerns raised, Instagram paused the development of a kids’ version of the app and introduced more controls for parents to limit teens’ screen time.
Legal Impediments and Potential Changes
Although families in various states have sued Meta, legal actions have been impeded by Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, which protects online platforms from being held liable for user-generated content. However, the current lawsuits may provide an opportunity for families to receive monetary relief. California and other states are hoping to change the practices of social media companies by urging platforms like Meta to change default settings, limit screen time, and adjust content recommendations to prevent harmful experiences for young users.
The Lawsuit’s Accusations
The lawsuit accuses Meta of violating a federal children’s privacy law by collecting personal data from children without parental consent, despite promoting children’s content on its platform. The lawsuit points to an ad campaign by Meta that directed teens to Instagram, where “child-oriented” content related to popular brands like Sesame Street, Lego, and Hello Kitty was hosted.
Ongoing Concerns and Technological Developments
The amount of time teenagers spend on social media has become a growing concern, especially as platforms utilize algorithms to recommend content. In 2022, state attorneys general began investigating the potential harm of TikTok to young people. As social media platforms face increasing lawsuits, technology continues to evolve rapidly, with Meta focusing on virtual reality and artificial intelligence. State attorneys general have not ruled out amending the complaint in the future to adapt to changing circumstances.
Disclaimer: This article is a rewrite of the original news article and does not reflect the opinions or views of the OpenAI model.
