Attorneys general in the US have sued Meta and Instagram. The social media sites have been accused of contributing to a youth mental health crisis.
Meta and Instagram have been sued by 33 U.S. attorneys general, including New York and California. The claims say Meta’s addicting social media platforms are causing a youth mental health crisis.
Alleged deception
The complaints accuse Meta of continuously misrepresenting the risks of its platforms and willfully luring children and teens into compulsive social media use for profit. Oakland, California, federal courts received the lawsuits.
Bad effects of social media use
The concerns highlight research relating children’s usage of Meta’s social media platforms to sadness, anxiety, insomnia, and school and life disturbances.
Meta is disappointed.
Meta was disappointed by the cases, saying the attorneys general could have collaborated with the sector to set age-appropriate app guidelines for teens.
Additional lawsuits
Eight more states and D.C. are suing Meta, increasing the total to 42.
Effect on Meta stock
Meta’s Nasdaq shares declined 0.6% after the lawsuits.
Legal action against social media rising
These cases follow a bigger trend of social media corporations being sued for harming children and teens. Social media addiction has led to hundreds of lawsuits against Meta, TikTok, and YouTube.
The whistleblower’s claims
A 2021 whistleblower’s publication of documents indicated that Meta knew Instagram’s addictiveness and potential to worsen young females’ body image issues.
Addiction cultivation allegations
The claims claim that Meta has actively encouraged children and teens to use social media, knowing it might lead to addiction. The corporation is accused of putting profit above youth.
Infractions and deception
States allege that Meta violated data gathering regulations for children under 13 and falsely denied the detrimental effects of its social media sites.
Expanding into VR
Meta may be spreading its bad behaviors into virtual reality through Horizon Worlds and WhatsApp and Messenger, according to complaints.
Congressional inaction
After years of debate, Congress has failed to adopt new online child protections.
Conclusion
Meta and Instagram have been sued by 33 US attorneys general, including New York and California, for contributing to a youth mental health crisis by being highly addicting. Meta is accused of misrepresenting the risks of its platforms and willfully enticing children and teens into compulsive use for profit. Research relates children’s usage of Meta’s social networking platforms to sadness, anxiety, insomnia, and school and life disturbances. Meta was disappointed by the litigation and suggested that the attorneys general cooperate with the industry to set age-appropriate app guidelines for teens. These cases are part of a bigger trend against social media corporations for their effects on children and teens.
