META Platforms Inc. was sued by California and a group of more than 30 states over claims that its social-media platforms Instagram and Facebook exploit youths for profit and feed them harmful content.
The suit, filed Tuesday in federal court in Oakland, California, adds to growing scrutiny of social media giants over how they serve their youngest users.
“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,” the company said in a statement. Meta, along with Snap, TikTok, and Google, now face hundreds of lawsuits claiming they’re to blame for adolescents and young adults suffering anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and sleeplessness as a result of their addiction to social media. The companies also have been hit with scores of complaints by school districts on behalf of students alleging that the platforms have created a public nuisance.
Facebook and Instagram require users under 13 to submit parental consent to create an account, but the states claim that Meta collects personal information about users under the age limit who haven’t provided the required permission. The company is accused of using marketing schemes to target those younger users, including publishing advertising campaigns featuring actors that appear to be children using its social media platforms.
The attorneys general announced at a virtual press conference Tuesday that in addition to the federal suit, eight states are pursuing cases in state court to enforce consumer protection laws.
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