Over 30 States Sue Meta (Facebook) Over Alleged Addictive Features Harmful to Children
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, faces a federal lawsuit filed by more than 30 states. The suit alleges that Meta's applications have been crafted to be addictive, leading to detrimental effects on children’s mental well-being.
The complaint, which was endorsed by 33 state attorneys general and filed in a San Francisco federal court on Tuesday, accuses Meta of breaching federal children’s online privacy regulations and state consumer protection statutes. They assert that Meta not only made its products habit-forming but also misrepresented the negative impacts these platforms have on young users' mental health.
Furthermore, separate suits were lodged by eight state attorneys general and the District of Columbia in their respective state courts, bringing the total to 42 states, including the District of Columbia, pursuing legal action against Meta in various courts.
Should these lawsuits succeed, they could compel Meta to revamp how it conceptualizes and promotes its platforms to the public. It might also result in substantial financial penalties. Notably, these legal endeavors are being likened to the lawsuits filed against the tobacco industry in the 1990s, which culminated in significant damages and a shift in the industry's marketing tactics.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, spearheading the federal lawsuit, stated during a virtual press event that the goal is to stop Meta from compromising the mental and physical health of children merely for the sake of profit. He emphasized the significance of bipartisan support in pursuing the case, indicating that the severity of the issue resonates across party lines.
The federal complaint argues that Meta misled users by asserting that its features were non-manipulative and that its products did not encourage unhealthy engagement with younger users, nor were they harmful.
Aiming to bypass Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which typically shields platforms from liability over user-generated content, the lawsuits allege that Meta deceived the public concerning the safety of children on its applications.
In its defense, Meta contends that it has introduced over 30 design modifications to enhance safety for children across its services.
The current lawsuit against Meta is the most significant state-led challenge contending that a social media firm breached the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and consumer protection regulations. Notably, COPPA mandates platforms to secure parental consent prior to collecting data from children under 13. The lawsuit maintains that Meta knowingly allows underage users and doesn't consistently enforce the age restriction.
One prominent example cited in the lawsuit highlights a 2021 interaction between teen influencer JoJo Siwa and Adam Mosseri, Instagram's chief. Siwa revealed she had used Instagram since she was eight, underscoring the platform’s lax enforcement.
The states are advocating for comprehensive changes in how Meta’s platforms function. Among the proposals are measures to limit the frequency and duration of youth usage and modifications to content display algorithms.
While the multi-state lawsuit follows an investigation into Instagram after whistleblower Frances Haugen's congressional testimony, it's emphasized that litigation might not be a substitute for proper legislation. Advocates insist that Congress needs to enact a law, especially given that court proceedings could extend for several years.
Alix Fraser, director of the Council for Responsible Social Media, underscored the urgency, stating, “It’s time to put our children, our communities, and our national security before Big Tech profits. Congress needs to step up with solutions that hold the platforms accountable.”
