Snapshot:

On 24 October 2023, 33 States filed a lawsuit against Meta in California federal court. They allege its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, create environments that endanger younger users’ mental health. The lawsuit accuses Meta of prioritising profit over child safety by deliberately designing addictive features that attract and retain minors, despite evidence of negative impacts on their mental health. The case is ongoing.

Legal argument

The legal argument is that Meta prioritises profit over child safety by deliberately creating addictive features and not adequately protecting minors from harmful content, which violates New Mexico’s Unfair Practices Act.

The lawsuit seeks financial damages and restitution and that Meta stops its practices that violate the law.

Meta said it was “disappointed by the route taken by the attorneys general”.

Legal Proceedings

In October 2023, 33 states filed a lawsuit against Meta in California federal court, accusing the company of endangering younger users’ mental health and exploiting young users for profit.

In October 2024, the court ruled that Meta must face these allegations, allowing the states’ case to proceed.

The case is ongoing.

News items

Meta must face US state lawsuits over teen social media addiction, Reuters, 16 Oct 2024

Meta sued by 33 states over claims youth mental health endangered by Instagram, Guardian, 24 Oct 2023

States sue Meta claiming its social platforms are addictive and harm children’s mental health, AP, 24 Oct 2023

Court documents

Complaint, 24 Oct 2023