A federal judge has ruled that U.S. states can sue Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, over its role in contributing to teen mental health issues. States claim that Meta’s platforms have been designed to be addictive, exacerbating problems such as anxiety, depression, and body-image issues among adolescents.
States’ Allegations and Meta’s Response
The lawsuits, filed by more than 30 states, including California, New York, and Florida, accuse Meta of making its social media platforms addictive, particularly to young people. Oakland-based U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled against Meta’s attempts to dismiss these claims, allowing the cases to move forward. Although some claims were limited under Section 230 of federal law, the judge found that the states provided sufficient evidence regarding misleading statements made by Meta.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the importance of holding Meta accountable for the harm its platforms have caused among children in California and across the nation. Meta, however, disagrees with the ruling, stating that it has developed tools to protect teens, such as Instagram’s new “Teen Accounts.”
Impact on Other Social Media Platforms
Other major social media companies like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat also face similar personal injury lawsuits, although they are not involved in the states’ lawsuits against Meta. These companies had their own motions to dismiss personal injury claims rejected as well, allowing lawsuits to continue against them.
A Google spokesperson refuted the allegations, insisting that providing a safer environment for young users remains core to their mission.
Ongoing Legal Battle
Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against social media platforms, accusing them of using addictive algorithms that negatively impact teens’ mental health. The ruling allows states and individual plaintiffs to seek further evidence and potentially take these cases to trial, as they seek damages and court orders to address the allegedly harmful business practices of social media giants.
