Attorneys general from 33 US states, including California and Illinois, have filed a lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, alleging the company knowingly induced children and teenagers into addictive social media use, contributing to a youth mental health crisis. The complaint, filed in federal court in Oakland, California, claims Meta misled the public about the dangers of its platforms and prioritised profit over user safety.
The lawsuit alleges that Meta used powerful technologies to entice and engage young users, despite knowing that teenage brains are particularly susceptible to the need for approval through likes. It accuses Meta of deceptively denying the harmful effects of its social media platforms. Nine additional states are expected to file similar lawsuits, bringing the total to 42 states.
The suit seeks substantial civil penalties and other remedies. It references internal documents leaked by former Meta employee Frances Haugen in 2021, which showed that Instagram worsened body image issues for some teen girls. The case adds to existing lawsuits against social media companies, including a master complaint filed earlier this year by lawyers representing over 100 families.
Meta responded with disappointment, stating it aims to make teens safe online and calling for industry-wide age-appropriate standards. The lawsuit follows increased scrutiny of social media's impact on youth mental health, including a US surgeon general advisory and President Joe Biden's call for bipartisan legislation in his State of the Union address.
