Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is facing a significant legal challenge as 33 states, including New York, filed a joint lawsuit on Tuesday, accusing the social media giant of fueling a youth mental health crisis through its addictive platforms. The lawsuit, filed in a California federal court, alleges that Meta’s exploitative practices have caused “sweeping damage” to the mental and physical health of the nation’s youth, engaging in what they term “deceptive and unlawful conduct.”
In the complaint, Meta is accused of maximizing profits by inducing young users into addictive and compulsive social media use. The states claim that Meta’s platforms have been associated with various negative outcomes, including depression, anxiety, insomnia, and interference with education and daily life. The lawsuit specifically points to Meta’s use of “dopamine-manipulating recommendation algorithms,” the harmful impact of the “likes” system, alerts encouraging late-night or school-time app usage, and visual filters allegedly fueling body dysmorphia.
Moreover, Meta is alleged to have violated a law prohibiting the collection of personal data from users under 13. The states are seeking unspecified financial damages and “injunctive relief” to prevent Meta from continuing these harmful practices.
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Meta, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, has been under scrutiny for years regarding its treatment of teen users. The company has faced criticism for prioritizing profits over user safety, a sentiment reinforced by whistleblower Frances Haugen’s testimony in 2021. Haugen provided internal documents, including a presentation indicating that Instagram exacerbated body image issues among teenage girls.
In response to the lawsuit, a Meta spokesperson stated that the company was disappointed with the legal action and emphasized their commitment to protecting underage users. The spokesperson highlighted Meta’s introduction of various tools to support teens and their families, including age verification and parental supervision services. Meta maintains that it blocks users under 13 from Instagram and does not knowingly collect data from individuals in that age group.
This lawsuit adds to the mounting legal challenges faced by Meta and its CEO, who have repeatedly downplayed safety concerns. As the case progresses, it raises crucial questions about the ethical responsibilities of social media platforms and their impact on the mental health of young users.
