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Facebook and Instagram’s parent company, Meta Platforms Inc., is facing a lawsuit from dozens of US states, including California and New York, over allegations that the company has harmed young people’s mental health. The lawsuit claims that Meta knowingly and deliberately designed features on its platforms to addict children, contributing to the youth mental health crisis. It further accuses Meta of collecting data on children under 13 without parental consent, violating federal law.

The lawsuit, filed by 33 states in federal court in California, also accuses Meta of concealing the ways in which its platforms exploit and manipulate teenagers and children, who are its most vulnerable consumers. The states are seeking financial damages, restitution, and an end to Meta’s practices that violate the law.

New York Attorney General Letitia James stated that social media companies like Meta are to blame for the record levels of poor mental health among kids and teenagers. She accused Meta of intentionally designing its platforms with manipulative features that make children addicted and lower their self-esteem.

In response to the lawsuit, Meta stated that it shares the attorneys general’s commitment to providing teens with safe and positive experiences online. The company claimed to have already introduced over 30 tools to support teens and their families. Meta expressed disappointment in the attorneys general’s decision to take legal action instead of working together to establish clear, age-appropriate standards for apps used by teens.

The federal suit is the outcome of an investigation led by attorneys general from several states. It follows newspaper reports, including an exposé by The Wall Street Journal in 2021, based on Meta’s own research. The research revealed the harms Instagram can cause teenagers, particularly teen girls, with regards to mental health and body image issues. Internal studies cited in the reports showed that Instagram worsened thoughts of suicide and eating disorders in teen girls.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated that Meta has been harming children and teens to boost corporate profits. The lawsuit marks a decisive stand against Meta’s actions.

According to the Pew Research Center, social media usage among teens in the US is almost universal, with about a third reporting using social media “almost constantly.” While social media platforms have regulations prohibiting kids under 13 from signing up, children have been found to easily bypass these restrictions with or without their parents’ consent. The lawsuit alleges that Meta knowingly violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act by collecting data on children without parental permission.

Although other social platforms like TikTok and Snapchat have also faced criticism for contributing to the youth mental health crisis, they are not included in this particular lawsuit. However, Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb did not comment on whether they are investigating these platforms as well, stating that their focus currently lies on the Meta empire of Facebook and Instagram.

The lawsuit comes after US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called for immediate action to protect kids from the harms of social media in May. The lawsuit seeks to hold Meta accountable for its actions and protect the well-being of young people who use its platforms.