TheBadPlaceyahoo news | Meta must face youth addiction lawsuit by Massachusetts, court rules
Meta Platforms must face a lawsuit brought by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, after the state’s Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the company deliberately designed Facebook and Instagram features to addict young users. The decision marks the first time a state high court has examined whether Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act—a federal law that shields internet firms from liability for user‑posted content—also bars claims that a company knowingly created a product that harms minors. Meta has denied the accusations and says it takes extensive steps to protect teens on its platforms.
The ruling comes amid a wave of legal actions against the firm. A Los Angeles jury in March found Meta and Google negligent for designing social‑media platforms that are harmful to youth, awarding $6 million to a 20‑year‑old who said she became addicted as a child. A day earlier, a jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties in a New Mexico case alleging the company misled users about safety and enabled child sexual exploitation. So far, 34 other states are pursuing similar claims, and the Massachusetts case is one of at least nine state‑court lawsuits filed since 2023, including a recent action by Iowa’s attorney general.
Campbell’s complaint alleges that Instagram’s push notifications, “likes,” and endless‑scroll design were engineered to exploit teenagers’ psychological vulnerabilities and fear of missing out, profiting from their addiction. Internal data, the suit says, showed the platform was harming children, yet executives rejected changes that research indicated would improve teens’ well‑being. While Meta sought dismissal under Section 230, the court held the law does not protect the company from allegations about false statements concerning Instagram’s safety, its age‑verification efforts, or its broader business conduct.
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