US States File Lawsuit Against Meta Platforms for Alleged Harm to Children’s Mental Health
In a new legal action, several US states have filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms, accusing its Instagram and Facebook platforms of causing harm to children’s mental health. The lawsuit alleges that these social media platforms are addictive and detrimental to children’s well-being.
Over the years, Meta has faced numerous accusations that its services and platforms are not suitable for children. Concerns have been raised by parents regarding the excessive amount of time children spend on their screens.
One case that intensified these concerns was that of Molly Russell, a 14-year-old girl from the UK who took her own life after being exposed to self-harm images on Instagram. Such incidents highlight the potential impact of online content on vulnerable individuals.
Now, a total of 33 US states have joined forces and sued Meta Platforms, claiming that the company contributes to the youth mental health crisis by intentionally designing features on Facebook and Instagram that hook children to their platforms.
The lawsuit asserts that Meta’s Facebook and Instagram have had a profound effect on the physical and social realities of a whole generation of young Americans. It further alleges that Meta has utilized powerful and unprecedented technologies to attract, engage, and ensnare youths and teens to maximize its financial gains.
According to the lawsuit, Meta has deliberately misled the public about the significant dangers of its Social Media Platforms. It accuses the company of exploiting and manipulating its most vulnerable consumers, namely teenagers and children.
The lawsuit also states that Meta has engaged in deceptive and unlawful conduct in violation of state and federal law.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in California, claims that Meta routinely collects data on children under the age of 13 without obtaining their parents’ consent, which is a violation of federal law.
In addition to the joint lawsuit, nine attorneys general are filing suits in their respective states, increasing the number of states taking action against Meta to a total of 41, including Washington, DC.
The lawsuits seek financial damages, restitution, and an end to Meta’s practices that are deemed illegal.
In response to the allegations, Meta expressed its commitment to providing teenagers with safe and positive experiences online. The company has already introduced more than 30 tools to support teens and their families. Meta stated its disappointment in the attorneys general for not working collaboratively with industry companies to establish clear, age-appropriate standards for the apps used by teenagers.
It is important to note that in October 2021, the head of Instagram confirmed a temporary halt in the development of the Instagram Kids app following concerns raised by an internal research report that suggested the platform had negative effects on teenagers, particularly teenage girls. Facebook had also implemented a requirement for Instagram users to input their date of birth to enhance child safety.
This federal lawsuit is reportedly the result of an investigation carried out by a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Vermont.
The revelations from whistleblower Frances Haugen, who testified before Congress and a British parliamentary committee, further shed light on Meta’s practices. A consortium of news organizations, including The Associated Press, shared findings based on leaked documents provided by Haugen.
As the legal battle unfolds, it remains to be seen how the court will rule on these allegations and whether Meta Platforms will be held accountable for the impact of its platforms on children’s mental health.
