Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is once again at the heart of a controversy. More than forty US states have filed a lawsuit against the social media giant, accusing it of harming the mental and physical health of young people. This action follows two years of investigations into the “addictive” practices of the platforms.
States, regardless of political affiliation, claim that Meta deliberately exploited powerful technologies to lure and entrap young people, all in an effort to make profits. They also accuse the group of covering up the manipulation of the most vulnerable users and of neglecting the damage caused to young people’s mental and physical health. The attorneys general are demanding that Meta put an end to these practices and pay fines.
This legal action was triggered after a former Facebook employee publicly denounced the company’s practices. Frances Haugen revealed numerous internal documents highlighting the company’s financial priorities at the expense of the security of its users.
Faced with these accusations, Meta defends itself by asserting that it has already put in place more than 30 tools to support adolescents and their families. The group also laments that attorneys general have not worked productively with industry companies to establish clear standards appropriate for the age of users.
This case highlights growing concern about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health. Indeed, studies have shown a correlation between excessive use of platforms and the appearance of depressive symptoms, particularly among young girls. The U.S. Surgeon General has even called it a “national youth mental health crisis.”
As American lawmakers struggle to regulate tech giants, this legal action illustrates the desire of states to protect their children. Laws have already been passed in some states requiring social networks to obtain parental consent before allowing access to minors.
In conclusion, Meta faces a new legal obstacle with this action brought by more than forty American states. The accusations relate to the addictive practices of the platforms, which are said to be harmful to the mental and physical health of young people. This case reflects growing concerns about the impact of social media on youth and illustrates the importance of lawmakers taking steps to protect the most vulnerable users.