A federal judge in the United States has dismissed Meta Platforms’ motion to throw out a lawsuit brought by 29 state attorneys general. The lawsuit accuses Meta of designing its social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram, in such a way that they promote addictive usage among children while hiding the potential risks involved.
The court has decided to allow several claims to proceed, including those related to deceptive practices, unfair business conduct, and alleged violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). It was also determined by the judge that Meta did not meet certain requirements pertaining to parental notice and consent as stipulated under federal law.
The coalition of states argues that excessive usage of Facebook and Instagram can lead to mental health issues in young people, citing problems such as anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and disruptions in education and daily activities. They claim that Meta was aware of these risks and still chose to design features that would promote prolonged engagement.
Meta has denied these allegations, asserting its commitment to supporting young users and noting that there is no universally accepted medical definition of “social media addiction.” Despite Meta’s defense, the judge identified factual disputes regarding whether the platforms were deliberately engineered to encourage compulsive use. These matters will ultimately be decided during the trial.