California and Over 30 States Sue Facebook’s Meta Over Harmful Features
California and a coalition of more than 30 states have filed a lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, alleging that the social media giant designed and deployed harmful features on its main platform and Instagram. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in northern California, accuses Meta of violating consumer protection laws and a federal law aimed at protecting the privacy of children under the age of 13.
The bipartisan investigation conducted by the attorneys general of these states concluded that Meta has been harming children and teens while cultivating addiction to boost its corporate profits. According to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, these harmful effects on young people necessitated legal action to draw a line and protect children.
The 233-page lawsuit outlines allegations that Meta failed to address the platform’s harmful impact on young people and its responsibility to keep them safe. The investigation focused on Meta’s strategies for engaging young people and encouraging them to spend more time on its platform. Critics, including advocacy groups, lawmakers, and parents, have accused Meta of not doing enough to combat harmful content related to eating disorders, suicide, and other potential dangers.
In response to the legal action, Meta expressed disappointment and emphasized its commitment to the safety of young people. The company stated that it has implemented over 30 tools to support young people and families. However, the attorneys general believe that Meta’s efforts have fallen short in adequately protecting children and addressing the negative consequences of its platforms.
The scrutiny surrounding Meta’s potential negative impact on the mental health of young people escalated when Frances Haugen, a former Facebook product manager, leaked a trove of internal company documents. Some of these documents revealed that Facebook, according to research, is toxic for teen girls and contributes to body image issues and suicidal thoughts.
Meta defended its research by claiming that it was mischaracterized and that teenagers have reported feeling better about issues such as loneliness and sadness by using Instagram. Although social media apps like Instagram require users to be at least 13 years old, some children have lied about their age to access the platform.
Instagram remains popular among US teens, with approximately 62 percent of surveyed teenagers reporting its use in 2022, according to a Pew Research Center study.
The outcome of this lawsuit will be closely watched, as it has significant implications not only for Meta but also for the broader social media landscape. The case highlights the ongoing debate about the responsibility of tech companies in protecting vulnerable users, particularly young people, from harm induced by harmful online content and addictive features.
