Introduction: Meta Faces Multistate Litigation
In an unprecedented wave of legal action, 41 US states, including New York, California, and Washington DC, have initiated lawsuits against Meta Platforms Inc. These states accuse the social media behemoth of knowingly designing addictive features on its platforms, Facebook and Instagram, harming young people’s mental health and contributing to a burgeoning youth mental health crisis. This blog post aims to clarify the various dimensions of the lawsuits and their implications for Meta, the tech industry, and society.
The Crux of the Complaint: Meta’s Youth Exploitation
The lawsuits filed primarily in federal court contend that Meta has been utilizing “powerful and unprecedented technologies to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens” (New York Attorney General Letitia James). Meta allegedly concealed its platforms’ exploitative and manipulative aspects, jeopardizing its youngest consumers’ mental well-being. According to the complaints, Meta has violated federal laws, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), by harvesting data from children under 13 without parental consent (Ortutay, B., AP Technology Writer). Telehealth.org readers may remember our August 2022 report of a lawsuit involving a patient at UCSF Medical Center and Dignity Health Medical Foundation, who filed a lawsuit against Facebook’s parent company, Meta, about its health data privacy practices.
Meta’s Counter-Argument: A Commitment to Teen Safety?
In its defense, Meta insists it is committed to providing a safe online experience for teenagers. The company asserts that it has introduced over 30 tools designed to support teens and their families online. However, critics argue that such measures are insufficient and circumventable (The Associated Press).
Political and Public Concern: Not Just an Isolated Case
The lawsuits against Meta have broad ramifications, extending well beyond the company. The action results from a bipartisan investigation led by attorneys general from states such as California, Florida, and Massachusetts. The legal action was further galvanized by whistleblowers and damning reports from news organizations like The Wall Street Journal, revealing Meta’s internal research about the harms its platforms cause, particularly to teenage girls (The Associated Press; The Wall Street Journal).
Extent and Limitations: A Snapshot of Social Media Use Among Teens
The Pew Research Center statistics indicate that nearly all US teens aged 13 to 17 use social media, and about a third use it “almost constantly.” Other platforms like TikTok and Snapchat are not part of the lawsuits, but they too have been implicated in discussions about contributing to the youth mental health crisis (Pew Research Center). A 2021 report by Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Craig Newmark Philanthropies reached similar conclusions, stating.
Meta and the Larger Tech Ecosystem: A Call for Immediate Action
In May of 2023, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called on technology companies to take “immediate action to protect kids now” from the harms of social media, signaling a broader concern beyond Meta.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Meta
The multistate lawsuits seek financial damages and an end to Meta’s alleged unlawful practices. It remains to be seen how these legal battles will unfold and their impact on Meta and the broader tech industry.