33 states sue Meta for "addictive" content aimed at minors

A total of 33 states are suing the technology company Meta for sharing content and apps with addictive effects on minors. A group of attorneys general from 33 states, both Republican and Democratic, filed a series of lawsuits. They are asking for sanctions against Meta and they want the company to change its content policies.

According to AP, the lawsuit was filed in federal court in California. All 33 states estimate that by means of its services, Meta collects data about minors without parental consent, which is illegal under federal law. The complaint also alleges that Meta's social networks, including Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, contain addictive features.

In addition to the lawsuits filed in federal court by 33 attorneys general, another eight states have filed lawsuits in their respective state courts. Washington D.C. also joined them. There is now a total number of 42 states suing Meta.

Self-esteem and dysmorphia

According to the lawsuit, the design of Meta's social networks is harmful to young people's mental health, especially teenagers. The algorithm and user-friendly content search systems often expose minors to content that leads them to have false beliefs and reinforces their insecurities.

The mechanisms indicated in the lawsuit, according to NBC, include notifications and the infinite scroll system that keeps the users hooked on the app, receiving almost unlimited content. The attorneys general also mention that this leads users to make social comparisons and encourages body dysmorphia through likes and photo filters.

In response to the lawsuit, a Meta spokesperson released a statement reported by NBC stating that at Meta "We share the attorneys general’s commitment to providing teens with safe, positive experiences online, and have already introduced over 30 tools to support teens and their families. We’re disappointed that instead of working productively with companies across the industry to create clear, age-appropriate standards for the many apps teens use, the attorneys general have chosen this path."

It is the second time that Meta has faced a lawsuit from a group of attorneys general. In 2020, the company went to trial after 48 states accused it of having a monopolistic effect in the sector. It was sued by the Federal Trade Commission that same year.