41 AGs sue Facebook, Instagram creators for addicting kids with algorithms.
Meta Accused of Trapping Children in Online Addiction and Manipulation
According to more than three dozen attorneys general, Meta, the company behind Instagram and Facebook, has built its social media empire by ensnaring children in online addiction and then deceitfully downplaying the manipulative nature of its technology.
The lawsuits, which you can read here and here (heavily redacted), claim that Instagram and Facebook have profoundly altered the psychological and social realities of young Americans by using psychologically manipulative features to induce compulsive and prolonged use among young users.
The attorneys general assert that Meta’s business model revolves around maximizing young users’ time and attention on its platforms. They accuse Facebook and Instagram of employing various tools, such as dopamine-manipulating recommendation algorithms, social comparison features, audiovisual and haptic alerts, and visual filters that promote body dysmorphia, to keep users, especially underage ones, engaged on their apps.
Despite the known harmful and manipulative effects of these technologies, Meta continues to exploit them to encourage users to spend excessive amounts of time scrolling, posting, commenting, and liking.
Furthermore, the attorneys general claim that Meta was fully aware of the vulnerabilities of young users’ developing brains and deliberately chose to exploit those vulnerabilities through targeted features.
These allegations are supported by whistleblower Frances Haugen, a radical Democrat activist and Hunter Biden laptop censor, who leaked internal reports from Facebook in 2021 that suggested the same. Additionally, the decisions of tech moguls to keep their own children away from these social media platforms further reinforce the argument.
Instead of addressing the harms associated with these practices, Meta appears to be expanding their use into new platforms and domains, according to the attorneys general.
In their pursuit of younger users, the attorneys general also accuse Meta of illegally collecting young children’s data without parental permission, thereby violating federal children’s online privacy statutes.
The motive behind Meta’s actions, as stated by the attorneys general, is profit. In their quest to maximize financial gains, Meta has repeatedly misled the public about the significant dangers posed by its Social Media Platforms.
This latest round of lawsuits against Meta is not the first time the company has faced scrutiny for its secretive and manipulative tactics. Facebook and Instagram have previously partnered with the federal government to limit the information available to Americans on certain topics online.
Jordan Boyd is a staff writer at The Federalist and co-producer of The Federalist Radio Hour. Her work has also been featured in The Daily Wire, Fox News, and RealClearPolitics. Jordan graduated from Baylor University with a major in political science and a minor in journalism. Follow her on Twitter @jordanboydtx.
How have Meta’s alleged lax approach to moderation and content filtering exacerbated the negative impact of harmful content on young users’ mental health and well-being
Ies, Meta is accused of deliberately downplaying the risks and impacts of its platforms on young users. The lawsuits claim that Meta has continuously deceived users, parents, and regulators by not disclosing the full extent of the addictive nature of their platforms and the potential harm it can cause to children.
The attorneys general argue that Meta’s actions are not only unethical but also violate consumer protection laws. By knowingly exploiting the vulnerabilities of young users and using manipulative strategies to keep them hooked on their platforms, Meta is accused of prioritizing its profits over the well-being of young individuals.
Moreover, the lawsuits also allege that Meta has failed to implement adequate measures to protect young users from online predators and cyberbullying. The attorneys general claim that Meta’s lax approach to moderation and content filtering has allowed harmful and inappropriate content to proliferate on its platforms, further exacerbating the negative impact on young users’ mental health and well-being.
The accusations against Meta highlight the need for increased regulation and accountability in the social media industry. As more children and teens spend a significant amount of their time on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, it is crucial that companies prioritize the safety and well-being of their young users.
The lawsuits seek to hold Meta accountable for its alleged deceptive practices and to compel the company to take meaningful steps towards rectifying the harms caused by its platforms. This includes implementing stronger safeguards to protect young users, providing more transparent and accurate information about the addictive nature of their platforms, and taking responsibility for the social and psychological impact their technology has on young individuals.
In conclusion, Meta’s alleged trapping of children in online addiction and manipulation has significant implications for the well-being of young users. The lawsuits filed by the attorneys general highlight the need for increased scrutiny and regulation of the social media industry to ensure the protection and safety of young individuals. It is crucial that companies like Meta prioritize the well-being of their users over their profits and take the necessary steps to rectify the harms caused by their platforms.
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