Many U.S. states sue Meta for youth mental health crisis.
OAN’s Stephanie Stahl
12:36 PM – Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Dozens of U.S. states have opened up a lawsuit against the Instagram-parent company Meta, formerly known as Facebook, claiming it is harming young people’s mental health by purposely designing “addictive” features on its platforms.
The lawsuit was filed in a California federal court on Tuesday as a result of an investigation led by a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general (AG).
33 states, including California, New York, Tennessee, and Indiana are involved in the widespread lawsuit.
Nine other AG’s also filed in their respective states, bringing the total number of states involved up to 42.
Based on Meta’s own research, the lawsuit accuses the social media giant of designing features — such as infinite newsfeeds and frequent notifications — to exploit and addict minors whose brains are still developing.
Meta was allegedly aware that Instagram harms teenagers’ mental health, especially in relation to body image issues. One internal study found that 13.5% of youth mental health crisis.”>teen girls reported worsening suicidal thoughts after viewing Instagram, while 17% of teen girls reported that it worsens their eating disorders.
New York AG Letitia James also says that Meta is to blame for the youth mental health crisis.
“Meta has profited from children’s pain by intentionally designing its platforms with manipulative features that make children addicted to their platforms while lowering their self-esteem,” James asserted.
The extensive legal action also alleges that Meta has consistently gathered data on children below the age of 13 without obtaining the necessary parental consent, which violates federal regulations.
The lawsuit calls for Meta to cease its manipulative tactics and requests the company to pay substantial financial penalties, including restitution, according to James.
“Meta has harnessed powerful and unprecedented technologies to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens. Its motive is profit, and in seeking to maximize its financial gains, Meta has repeatedly misled the public about the substantial dangers of its social media platforms. It has concealed the ways in which these platforms exploit and manipulate its most vulnerable consumers: teenagers and children,” the complaint reads.
Meta responded to the lawsuit with a statement, contending that it shares the AG’s commitment to ensuring teenagers have safe and positive interactions online.
“We’re disappointed that instead of working productively with companies across the industry to create clear, age-appropriate standards for the many apps teens use, the attorneys general have chosen this path,” the company said.
Meta also added that it has already introduced over 30 tools to support minors and their families.
Social media usage among teenagers is almost ubiquitous in the United States and various other regions across the globe.
According to the Pew Research Center, up to 95% of young people between the ages of 13 and 17 in the U.S. use social media, and over a third of them claim to be engaged with social media “almost constantly.”
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What potential implications could the outcome of this lawsuit have for the broader tech industry
There is a mental health crisis fueled by the compulsive use of Meta’s platforms by our youth. The lawsuit I filed today is part of a bipartisan coalition of 33 states seeking to hold Meta accountable for addicting our youth to social media.
These are the words of Illinois Attorney General, referencing the recent lawsuit filed against Meta (formerly known as Facebook) by dozens of U.S. states. The lawsuit alleges that the social media giant is harming the mental health of young people by purposefully designing addictive features on its platforms.
The lawsuit was filed in a California federal court on Tuesday, following an investigation led by a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general (AG) from across the country. A total of 33 states, including influential ones such as California, New York, Tennessee, and Indiana, are involved in this widespread legal action. In addition, nine other AGs have filed in their respective states, bringing the total number of states involved to 42.
The crux of the lawsuit lies in Meta’s own research, which allegedly demonstrates the deliberate design of features that exploit and addict minors. Features such as infinite newsfeeds and frequent notifications are cited as examples of strategies employed by Meta to keep young users engaged on their platforms. The lawsuit asserts that these addictive features harm the mental well-being of young people, whose brains are still in the process of developing.
The claims made by the attorneys general reflect growing concerns about the impact of social media on mental health, particularly among young individuals. Numerous studies have highlighted the potential negative effects of excessive social media use, including increased rates of anxiety, depression, and poor body image among young people. The addictive nature of certain platform features can exacerbate these issues and further contribute to the mental health crisis faced by today’s youth.
Meta has responded to the lawsuit by stating that it has taken significant steps to address these concerns and promote the well-being of its users. The company highlights its efforts to implement tools that allow users to manage their time on the platform and to prioritize meaningful interactions. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to protect vulnerable individuals, especially minors, from the potential harms of addictive design.
The outcome of this lawsuit will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the broader tech industry. It could set a precedent for holding social media companies accountable for the impact of their platforms on mental health and potentially lead to changes in industry practices. As concerns about the addictive nature of social media continue to grow, it is crucial to find a balance between technological innovation and the well-being of users, particularly the young and vulnerable.
Ultimately, the responsibility to address the harms caused by addictive features on social media platforms lies not only with the companies but also with policymakers, parents, educators, and society as a whole. A comprehensive approach that includes regulation, education, and support is necessary to protect the mental health of our youth in an increasingly digital world.
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