States Unite in Lawsuit Against Meta, Alleging Addictive Features and Harm to Youth

Dozens of states, including New York, California, and Florida, have filed lawsuits against Meta, the parent company of Instagram, alleging that the social media giant's addictive features have harmed young users' mental health. The lawsuits claim that features such as infinite news feeds and frequent notifications contribute to a mental health crisis among minors. The states accuse Meta of intentionally designing platforms with manipulative features that make children addicted while lowering their self-esteem. The lawsuits also allege that Meta misled users about the potential health risks of its products. The legal action seeks court orders to prohibit Meta from violating the law and financial penalties. The wave of lawsuits follows a bipartisan investigation and the release of internal company documents by Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen.