States Sue Meta Over Youth Mental Health Crisis

A coalition of 33 states has filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc., formerly known as Facebook, alleging that the company intentionally designed features on Instagram and Facebook to addict children and teenagers to its platforms, consequently contributing to the youth mental health crisis.

This bipartisan group of attorneys general claims that Meta’s practices have violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act by collecting data on children under 13 without parental consent. This lawsuit, filed in federal court in California, further alleges that Meta has engaged in business practices that undermine young people’s mental health.

The attorneys general are seeking penalties, restitution, and a court order to halt Meta’s current practices. They argue that Meta has harnessed unprecedented technologies to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens, disregarding their health to maximize profits.

“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,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Meta has responded to the allegations, denying the claims and expressing disappointment that the attorneys general have chosen to pursue legal action. “We share the attorneys general’s commitment to providing teens with safe, positive experiences online and have already introduced over 30 tools to support teens and their families,” said a representative for Meta.

It’s worth noting that social media platforms have become almost ubiquitous among teenagers in the U.S., with many reporting that they use these platforms “almost constantly.” Social media companies, including Meta, ban children under 13 from signing up. Still, it has been shown that many younger kids can easily circumvent these bans, both with and without parental consent.

This lawsuit follows a series of damning reports about the harms of social media on teenagers’ mental health. Based on Meta’s research, the Wall Street Journal first reported in the fall of 2021 that Instagram could worsen body image issues and contribute to mental health problems among teen girls.

As the lawsuit progresses, it will be essential to follow how the court addresses these serious allegations against Meta and the potential implications for the social media industry. This is not just a legal battle but a moral one, as the health and well-being of our children and teenagers are at stake.

We must hold companies accountable for their actions, especially when those actions can profoundly impact the most vulnerable members of our society — our children. As this lawsuit unfolds, it will set a precedent for how we deal with social media’s complex and ever-evolving landscape and its impact on youth mental health.