Michelle ThompsonMeta, the company that oversees Facebook and Instagram, is facing allegations of providing misleading information to the public regarding the dangers of social media usage, potentially exacerbating a mental health crisis among young people.
A federal lawsuit, announced by multiple U.S. states, has accused Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, of misleading the public regarding the risks associated with social media use, which has allegedly contributed to a youth mental health crisis. The lawsuit contends that Meta employed addictive features to attract users while concealing the substantial dangers of its platforms, violating consumer protection laws through deceptive conduct. Additionally, the company is accused of collecting data on children under 13, in violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with 32 other attorneys general, voiced concerns about how social media companies, including Meta, have contributed to a national youth mental health crisis and emphasized the need for accountability. Nine other states also filed similar claims.
A Meta spokesperson expressed disappointment, stating the company’s commitment to providing safe and positive online experiences for teens, citing the introduction of over 30 tools to support teens and their families. The spokesperson criticized the attorneys general for not collaborating with industry companies to establish clear, age-appropriate standards for teen-appropriate apps.
Meta and other social media firms already face numerous lawsuits in the U.S., filed by families, young individuals, and school districts, alleging harm to mental health. This lawsuit represents the most significant legal action to date. It stems from a 2021 investigation into the company’s practices by state prosecutors following revelations from whistleblower Frances Haugen, who claimed that Meta was aware of the potential harm its products could cause to children.
While Meta contests the idea that Instagram is harmful to young people’s mental health, there is a body of research indicating that excessive social media use can negatively affect the mental health of youth. In the UK, for instance, a coroner examining the death of Molly Russell attributed her demise to the “negative effects of online content.”
The states involved in the lawsuit seek financial damages and a halt to Meta’s alleged harmful practices. Large portions of the lawsuit remain redacted, but it specifically names features like likes, alerts, and filters that are said to promote body dysmorphia in young users. Body dysmorphia causes individuals to obsess over perceived flaws in their appearance, often unnoticeable to others. The lawsuit asserts that Meta’s design choices and practices exploit and contribute to young users’ susceptibility to addiction.
