Judge in California allows lawsuits against Meta in US over mental health of teens
A federal judge in California has allowed lawsuits against Meta based on evidence of deceptive practices.
The lawsuits allege that Meta’s platforms, Facebook and Instagram, are intentionally designed to be addictive and contribute to mental health problems in teens.
The ruling could pave the way for more extensive evidence-gathering and possible lawsuits against other social media companies.
More than 30 US states, including California, New York and Florida, filed lawsuits against Meta Platforms last year. They allege that the company’s platforms, Facebook and Instagram, are intentionally designed to be addictive and contribute to mental health problems in teens, such as anxiety and depression. A federal judge in California recently rejected Meta’s attempt to dismiss these claims, allowing the states to move forward with most of their allegations based on evidence of deceptive practices.
The lawsuits allege that Meta’s design choices specifically target teenagers, leading to harmful effects on their well-being. Although Meta claimed to be protected under Section 230, a federal law that applies to online platforms, the judge determined there was sufficient evidence to proceed with the case. This ruling also allows related personal injury cases against other social media giants such as TikTok (owned by ByteDance), YouTube (Alphabet) and Snapchat (Snap) to proceed.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta expressed satisfaction with the decision, emphasising Meta’s responsibility for the harm done to children. Lawyers who represented the plaintiffs celebrated the outcome as an important victory for young people affected by social media platforms. However, Meta maintains its position, claiming that it has implemented numerous safeguards for teens, including parental controls and special ‘teen accounts’ on Instagram.
The lawsuits seek financial compensation and an injunction to force Meta to modify its business practices. This ruling may pave the way for more extensive evidence gathering and possible lawsuits in the future, as hundreds of similar lawsuits are pending against social media companies.
Meanwhile, Australia is considering a ban on social media for teens under a certain age to address concerns about cyberbullying, online grooming and mental health risks associated with overuse of social media. This proposed legislation, which should be introduced later this year, is facing criticism from youth advocates who warn that it could isolate vulnerable teens, particularly those from immigrant or LGBTQIA+ communities.
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