In a significant legal challenge to Meta, a bipartisan group of 42 attorneys general has filed a lawsuit, claiming that features on Meta’s Facebook and Instagram platforms are addictive and specifically target children and teenagers.

1. 42 Attorneys General Sue
Meta, Accusing Facebook
and Instagram of Addiction
and Child Targeting
 Category: News
In a significant legal challenge to Meta, a bipartisan group of 42 attorneys general has filed a
lawsuit, claiming that features on Meta’s Facebook and Instagram platforms are addictive and

2. specifically target children and teenagers. This action underscores the growing concern among
state law enforcers regarding the protection of young users from online harm.
The legal battle against Meta has expanded to multiple districts, with attorneys general from 33
states launching a federal suit in the Northern District of California. Additionally, nine more
attorneys general are filing lawsuits in their respective states. States joining the federal suit
include New York, California, Colorado, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Washington, and
Wisconsin.
This united front of attorneys general, from both sides of the political spectrum, highlights the
urgency of addressing the issue at hand. The attorneys general recognize the need to safeguard
the well-being of young individuals in an era marked by polarization and intense disagreements.
Child Targeting a National Issue?
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser emphasized the gravity of the situation, acknowledging
that the case may not be resolved swiftly but remains a top national priority. In the pursuit of their
mission, the states are demanding an end to what they perceive as harmful practices by Meta, in
addition to penalties and restitution.
The lawsuit alleges that Meta intentionally designed Facebook and Instagram to engage young
users for prolonged periods by employing algorithms, alerts, notifications, and infinite scrolling
features. Furthermore, the company is accused of incorporating elements that negatively affect
teenagers’ mental health, such as the “likes” feature and photo filters that promote social
comparison and body dysmorphia.
The suit also asserts that Meta violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by
collecting personal data from users under the age of 13 without parental consent.
The attorneys general contend that Meta was well aware of the detrimental consequences of its
design on young users, pointing to internal research documents that have been leaked. The
documents revealed Meta’s awareness of the serious harms associated with young users’ time
spent on its platforms, which it allegedly concealed from the public.
42 attorneys general suing Meta over addictive features targeting kids
Meta not Safe for Females:
Frances Haugen, a former Facebook employee, brought this issue to the forefront when she
leaked internal documents in 2021, sparking outrage among lawmakers and parents. One set of
documents disclosed that Instagram exacerbated negative body image issues for some teen girls.
In response to the revelations, Instagram announced efforts to reduce dwell time on negative
topics.

3. District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who filed an individual suit against Meta,
argued that Meta should have warned users about the potential risks and addictive nature of its
products before they began using them. The legal action against Meta reflects a growing
consensus among state attorneys general that the company’s practices warrant close scrutiny and
regulation.
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