Instagram is owned and operated by Meta, the same owners of Facebook, is under fire for allegedly deceiving about the dangers of social media use, which is thought to be a contributing cause in the crisis in young people’s mental health.
These claims have surfaced in the context of a federal lawsuit that multiple US states simultaneously announced.
The states in question claim that Meta used elements that were addictive to draw in and keep consumers while hiding serious risks present on the platforms. Meta responded by expressing its dissatisfaction.
According to the lawsuit, Instagram through its parent company Meta engaged in “deceptive” behaviour, in violation of consumer protection. In addition, it is said that the business violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act by gathering data from kids younger than 13.
The Attorney General of New York, Letitia James, along with the other thirty-three attorneys general involved in the action, declared that “social media companies” including Meta, must be held accountable for their role in exacerbating a nationwide crisis in youth mental health.”
Comparable assertions have been made in cases brought by nine more states.
According to Meta representative, the firm has “already intorduced over 30 tools to support teens and their families” and shares that attorney general’s goal to “providing teens with safe, positive experiences online.”
The statement continued, “We’re disappointed that the attorneys general have chosen this path instead of working productively with companies across the industry to create clear, age-appropriate standards for the many apps teens use.”
Due to the detrimental effects on mental health, families, youths and school districts have already brought hundreds of lawsuits against Meta the parent company of Instagram and other social media firms in the United States.
It comes after a whistleblower named Francis Haugen testified in the United States that the corporation knew its goods may harm children, leading to an inquiry of the company’s actions by multiple state prosecutors in 2021.
