Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, will face lawsuits from U.S. states alleging that its platforms deliberately foster addictive behavior among teens, contributing to mental health issues. A federal judge in California ruled against Meta’s attempt to dismiss the claims, signaling a potential legal battle ahead.
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, presiding over the case, found the states’ arguments convincing enough to proceed, though Meta did secure some limits through Section 230 protections. This federal law provides a degree of immunity to online platforms, but the court determined that the states had adequately outlined how Meta allegedly misled the public with its practices.
California, New York, and over 30 other states, along with Florida in a separate suit, are demanding changes to Meta’s operations and seeking monetary damages. The lawsuits argue that Meta’s design encourages compulsive use, exacerbating anxiety, depression, and body-image concerns among teens.
The ruling not only keeps the states’ lawsuits alive but also opens the door for related personal injury claims brought against Meta, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat by individual users. Though these platforms aren’t part of the states’ lawsuits, their own legal troubles are mounting as courts allow personal injury claims to move forward.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta expressed that Meta should be held accountable for the harm inflicted on young users nationwide, calling the ruling a pivotal step toward justice. Meanwhile, Meta defended its efforts, highlighting tools it developed for parents and teens, including Instagram’s new “Teen Accounts” with added safeguards.
Google dismissed the accusations as unfounded, insisting its focus has always been on creating healthier experiences for young users. Other companies mentioned in the lawsuits have yet to respond publicly.
With hundreds of lawsuits targeting social media giants for fueling mental health crises among adolescents, the legal landscape promises to intensify. Plaintiffs argue that these platforms deploy addictive algorithms without adequately warning users of their risks, putting young people’s well-being at stake.
The next phase in this escalating legal battle will allow states and plaintiffs to gather more evidence, with a trial looming on the horizon unless a settlement is reached.
