U.S. judge allows lawsuit accusing Meta of addicting children to proceed

A U.S. federal judge has rejected Meta Platforms’ attempt to dismiss a lawsuit brought by 29 state attorneys general, clearing the way for claims that the company designed Facebook and Instagram to be addictive to children and concealed risks from the public.

In a ruling issued in California, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers refused Meta’s request to throw out allegations of deceptive practices, unfair conduct and violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

The judge also ruled that Meta failed to comply with key provisions of the federal law, including requirements related to parental consent and notice, granting summary judgment to the states on that issue.

The lawsuit is part of a broader legal challenge by U.S. states that accuse Meta of knowingly creating features that encourage compulsive use among young people.

According to the attorneys general, research shows that excessive use of Facebook and Instagram can contribute to depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, educational difficulties and, in some cases, self-harm and suicide among children and teenagers.

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California Attorney General Rob Bonta described the ruling as a significant step forward.

“This decision is a critical win in holding Meta accountable for fueling a mental health crisis among American children,” he said.

Meta rejects allegations

Meta said it strongly disagreed with the claims and remained confident it would prevail in court.

“We strongly disagree with these allegations and are confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people,” the company said in a statement.

The technology giant argued that the states had failed to prove it misled users about the potential effects of its platforms. It also contended that “social media addiction” is not an officially recognised psychiatric condition, making statements denying addictiveness neither false nor misleading.

Meta further maintained that Facebook and Instagram are designed for a general audience rather than specifically targeting children under 13.

Judge cites unresolved factual disputes

In her 38-page decision, Judge Gonzalez Rogers said key questions remain unresolved and should be considered by a jury.

These include whether Facebook and Instagram were intentionally designed to encourage compulsive use, whether Meta made misleading statements about the nature of its platforms, and whether the company partially targeted children despite its claims to the contrary.

“The AGs present a reasonable interpretation of (Meta's) statements that Facebook and Instagram are not designed in ways that cause teens to compulsively use the platforms to their detriment,” the judge wrote.

She added that if evidence shows the platforms were designed in such a way, “a jury could reasonably find the statements were untrue to a reasonable person”.

Part of wider legal scrutiny

The case forms part of a broader wave of litigation against social media companies over their impact on young users.

Judge Gonzalez Rogers is also overseeing multidistrict litigation involving more than 2,600 individuals, school districts and local governments. The cases target several major technology firms, including Meta, Google, YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok, over allegations that their platforms contribute to addictive behaviour among children.

Trial scheduled for August

The next phase of the case is expected to begin soon. Court records show that a trial involving claims brought by California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey is scheduled to start on 18 August.

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The outcome could have significant implications for how social media companies design their platforms and address concerns about the well-being of younger users.

Global scrutiny of Meta's impact on young users

The lawsuit comes amid growing international scrutiny of Meta's platforms and their effect on children. In Europe, regulators are escalating an investigation into whether Facebook and Instagram use design features that keep young users hooked, with the European Commission examining claims that the platforms may be addictive to children.

The probe, launched under the EU's Digital Services Act, is also assessing whether Meta has done enough to protect minors online. 

Elsewhere, Australia has introduced some of the world's toughest restrictions on children's social media use, with authorities investigating whether platforms including Facebook and Instagram are complying with rules aimed at keeping under-16s off social media.

Australian officials have repeatedly cited concerns about the impact of social media on young people's mental health and wellbeing.

The pressure on Meta extends beyond regulators. The company is already facing lawsuits in the United States alleging that its products contribute to addiction and mental health problems among young users, making the latest ruling part of a broader global debate over the responsibilities of social media companies towards children.

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