33 US states sue Meta over youth mental health crisis

They accuse the company of putting profit ahead of safety

Legislators from 33 US states have filed a lawsuit against Meta, accusing the tech giant of prioritising financial gains over the wellbeing of its younger users.

The legal action, initiated in a federal court in California, asserts that Meta intentionally deceived the public about the potential harms of its platforms, particularly Facebook and Instagram, on children and adolescents. It is claimed that Meta's business strategy, aimed at maximising user engagement, has significantly contributed to a widespread crisis in youth mental health.

According to the lawsuit, Meta allegedly introduced features and incentives that fostered detrimental behaviours among young users, such as the ability to 'Like' posts and the failure to promptly remove content related to issues like disordered eating and bullying.

Meta has refuted these allegations, with spokesperson Liza Crenshaw emphasising the company's commitment to providing a safe online environment for teenagers and their families. Crenshaw expressed disappointment that the attorney general opted for legal action rather than collaborating with the industry to establish clear, age-appropriate standards for various apps used by teens.

In the wake of revelations from former Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen in 2021, Meta has faced increasing scrutiny from both policymakers and advocacy groups regarding the adverse impact of its products on the safety and wellbeing of young individuals.

The lawsuit cites internal studies from Facebook, leaked by Haugen, which indicated that Instagram negatively affected the self-esteem of its youthful users, who showed no signs of disengagement. The complaint points to Meta's use of sophisticated technologies to captivate and retain young users, claiming that the company has ignored the profound damage its platforms have inflicted on the mental and physical health of the nation's youth.

Several lawmakers, including Senators Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, Connecticut) and Marsha Blackburn (Republican, Tennessee), have singled out Meta, along with other social media platforms, as key contributors to an ongoing crisis in youth mental health in the United States. In response, the senators introduced the Kids Online Safety Act, aiming to shield children from exposure to harmful online content.

However, as with its UK counterpart, the Online Safety Bill, concerns have been raised by civil rights experts about potential implications for free speech arising from the proposed legislation.