A lawsuit accusing Meta Platforms of fostering addictive behavior in children through its social media platforms Facebook and Instagram is moving forward after a U.S. federal judge declined the company’s request to dismiss the case. The lawsuit, brought by 29 state attorneys general, alleges that Meta has intentionally designed its platforms to promote excessive use among young people, while downplaying potential negative impacts.
The judge’s decision allows the case to proceed on claims related to deceptive practices, unfair business conduct, and alleged breaches of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Specifically, the court found that Meta did not adequately meet federal requirements for parental notification and consent under COPPA, highlighting a crucial aspect of the plaintiffs’ argument.
The states involved in the lawsuit argue that the prolonged use of Facebook and Instagram has been associated with various mental health problems in young users, such as anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and disruptions to both education and daily life. They claim that despite being aware of these risks, Meta deliberately incorporated features into its platforms that encourage extended engagement.
In response to these allegations, Meta has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that it is dedicated to the well-being of young users. The company contends that there is no recognized medical definition for “social media addiction,” suggesting that the claims lack a solid basis. However, the judge indicated that there are unresolved factual issues regarding whether or not the platforms were purposefully engineered to foster compulsive use, which will be addressed during the trial.