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Teen Takes On Meta Over Addictive Technology

Art by Alexander Shatov via Unsplash

Teen Takes On Meta Over Addictive Technology

By Movieguide® Contributor

A teenager is suing Meta over Instagram’s “addictive” features that exposed her to harmful content. 

The New York minor’s suit alleges that the social media platform uses algorithms and tech designs that are focused on keeping users hooked, despite knowing that prolonged time on social media is harmful to mental health. 

The teen, identified as “AA,” also states that she has been using the app since she was 10, claiming that Instagram did nothing to verify that she was 13, the age requirement for the app. Her suit claims she is now “unable to put her phone away” and is “overwhelmed with anxiety.”

“This country universally bans minor access to other addictive products, like tobacco and alcohol, because of the physical and psychological damage such products can inflict. Social media is no different, and Meta’s own documents prove that it knows its products harm,” the suit states. “Nonetheless, Meta has done nothing to improve its social media products or limit their access to young users. In fact, a child can sign up for Meta’s harmful products in a matter of minutes, without any parental or guardian guidance or consent.”

The suit continues, “Meta’s conduct has harmed [the] plaintiff and [other children], and will continue to harm them unless and until it is stopped.”

A spokesperson for Meta said that the company does work to provide safe guidelines for young people on the app, from age verification and safety restriction tools to parental controls. 

“These are complex issues but we will continue working with experts and listening to parents to develop new tools, features and policies that are effective and meet the needs of teens and their families,” the spokesperson said

This lawsuit is not the only one of its kind. More than 40 states, as well as the District of Columbia, have sued Meta for its addictive features. 

“We see a real problem,” Phil Weiser, Colorado’s attorney general, told PBS. “Meta has lied to people. They have been deceiving people about their platform. They have been marketing to people under 13, and they failed to protect young people. That’s why we’re taking this important action.”

Weiser continued, “We know young people are losing sleep, are finding their mental health really descent, sometimes not just eating disorders, but into self-harm, even suicide. They need to take responsibility for the platform. We need to better protect young people.”

Movieguide® previously reported on the lawsuits against Meta:

Forty-one states and the District of Columbia are suing Meta for building addictive features into its technology that harm children’s well-being.

“Our bipartisan investigation has arrived at a solemn conclusion: Meta has been harming our children and teens, cultivating addiction to boost corporate profits,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

“We have a youth mental health crisis in the United States,” added Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser. “The young people were brought down rabbit holes.”

To hold Meta accountable for this alleged business practice, thirty-three states are filing a joint lawsuit against the company, while eight states and Washington D.C. are filing separate complaints in federal, state or local courts.

The complaints argue that Meta misled parents and children regarding its safety features, allowing it to illegally collect data on children for profit, thereby violating child privacy laws.

These lawsuits from the state attorneys general come as the federal government has failed to introduce any regulations that bar companies from prioritizing profit over user engagement or safety. While the Biden administration has repeatedly stated that it wants to better regulate tech companies, concrete action has yet to be taken by the federal government.

The state-led lawsuits are the next best option as they attempt to place some accountability on Meta for the damage it has caused to millions of children’s mental well-being.


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