Washington, DC, and 41 U.S. States are taking legal action against social media giant Meta. The company is accused of adding features on Instagram and Facebook that entice children, leading to addiction.
This lawsuit aims to address the growing concerns about social media’s impact on children’s mental health.
According to The Washington Post, the 233-page federal complaint alleges that Meta prioritizes profit over user safety and violates federal laws related to children’s privacy.
The complaint contends that Meta is introducing features that keep children engaged throughout the day, negatively affecting their mental well-being.
State officials claim that Meta intentionally made changes to keep children on their platforms, violating consumer protection laws with potential health consequences.
In response, 33 states, including Colorado and California, have jointly sued Meta in a federal court in Northern California, while DC and eight state attorneys general have filed separate complaints at local or state levels.
Meta’s Response
Meta spokesperson Lisa Crenshaw expressed disappointment at the states’ decision to pursue a direct court route.
She stated that the government could have collaborated with the company to establish age-related rules for different apps, but this collaboration did not occur.
