Dozens of US states have filed lawsuits against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, accusing the tech giant of knowingly designing features that harm young people's mental health and contribute to the youth mental health crisis. The lawsuits, filed in federal court in California, allege that Meta has misled the public about the dangers of its social media platforms and has concealed the ways in which these platforms exploit and manipulate teenagers and children.

I have filed a lawsuit against Meta for knowingly designing and deploying harmful features on Instagram, Facebook and other social media platforms that are addictive to children and teens. The company has fueled the youth mental health crisis we're facing. https://t.co/oCdETL2aGS pic.twitter.com/ymiRhQlDyn

— Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond (@Okla_OAG) October 24, 2023

The company is also accused of routinely collecting data on children under 13 without their parents' consent, in violation of federal law. A total of 42 states are now taking action against Meta, with nine attorneys general filing in their respective states. The lawsuit follows investigative reports that revealed Meta's knowledge of Instagram's harmful effects on teen mental health, citing studies that showed the platform worsened suicidal thoughts and eating disorders in teen girls.

Despite regulations, social media use among US teens remains widespread, raising concerns about their mental health. Measures implemented by social platforms to address these concerns are easily bypassed. In response to the lawsuits, Meta stated that it shares the attorneys general's commitment to providing teens with safe experiences online and has already introduced over 30 tools to support teens and their families.

However, the company expressed disappointment that the attorneys general chose litigation instead of working collaboratively with industry companies to establish clear standards for apps used by teens. The lawsuits mark a renewed effort by states to address the negative impact of social media on youth. They follow a wave of legislation aimed at regulating social media platforms' interactions with teens and children. These legal actions seek to hold companies accountable for their actions and to protect young users from the harmful effects of social media.