Four States Sue Meta Over Child Addiction Claims
Verified
Four states filed a lawsuit against Meta in a California federal court. The complaint alleges the company concealed mental health risks and misled users about safety on Facebook and Instagram. Plaintiffs seek damages and modifications to the applications. They argue Meta's business model hooks users and encourages addiction among children. Meta denies that social media addiction exists. The suit claims the platforms harm the mental health of young users. Meta maintains it is working to keep children safe online. Opening arguments are underway.
Sources
- ABC Australia: Pivotal Meta trial over social media addiction in children gets underway
- NPR News: Meta heads to court in a landmark trial about kids and social media addiction
- NPR News: 'Profits won.' The child safety trial against Meta kicks off in federal court
- BBC World: Meta hooked children on Facebook and Instagram, court hears
- Deutsche Welle: Meta trial over social media harm to children begins
- NDTV: 'Meta Said It Has Acted On Child Sexual Content': Government Sources
- NDTV: 'Meta Hooked, Exploited Children': 29 US States Demand $200-Billion Penalty
- Deutsche Welle: US: Meta hooked children, prosecutors say, as trial over social media harm begins