Meta faces largest U.S. youth social media lawsuit in 29 states

A coalition of 29 U.S. states filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc. on Tuesday, alleging that the company’s social media platforms, Instagram and Facebook, harmed the mental health of young users.

The coordinated legal action, filed in California state court, represents the largest coordinated youth social media lawsuit to date. States including California, New York, and Florida accuse Meta of designing features that addict minors to its platforms, contributing to rising rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among teenagers.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and injunctive relief, including changes to platform algorithms and design features. It also alleges that Meta misled the public about the safety of its products, citing internal research and whistleblower disclosures that highlighted risks to young users.

Meta has previously denied these claims, stating that it has invested in tools to protect younger users, such as default privacy settings for minors and content restrictions. The company has also pointed to industry-wide challenges in addressing youth mental health concerns.

The case is expected to proceed under California’s consumer protection laws, with potential implications for how social media companies are held accountable for their impact on minors. Legal experts suggest the lawsuit could set a precedent for future litigation against tech platforms, particularly regarding data privacy and child safety.

The filing follows a separate federal lawsuit in 2023, where a bipartisan group of states accused Meta of violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). That case remains ongoing.