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Autumn Hardin
Processor Johnson
English Comp 1101.03
November 2024
Title
Suing instagram
Dozens of U.S. states have sued Meta, the parent company of Instagram, accusing it of
contributing to a mental health crisis among young users. Filed in federal court by 33 state
attorneys general, the lawsuit claims that features like infinite scroll, notifications, and
algorithmic design are addictive and exploit children's psychological vulnerabilities, leading to
negative effects such as depression, anxiety, and body image issues. The states argue that Meta
has intentionally designed its platforms to keep young users engaged, profiting from their
attention at the expense of their well-being. The lawsuit accuses Meta of violating consumer
protection laws and the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which
prohibits the collection of personal data from children under 13 without parental consent. The
states are seeking court orders to stop these practices, as well as financial penalties. In addition
to the federal lawsuit, several states filed similar complaints in state courts, and Florida has also
sued Meta for allegedly misleading users about the health risks of its platforms. The cases stem
from an investigation that began in 2021, following revelations from Facebook whistleblower
Frances Haugen about the company's internal knowledge of its products' harmful impact on
young people. States argue that Meta’s design choices have amplified youth addiction to social
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media and worsened mental health problems. Meta has responded by stating its commitment
to providing safer online experiences for teens, citing over 30 tools aimed at protecting them.
However, the company expressed disappointment at the lawsuit, preferring to collaborate on
clear, age-appropriate standards for social media platforms. This legal push reflects broader
concerns about social media's impact on youth, with states enacting stricter regulations and
pushing for greater accountability from tech companies. The cases could lead to nationwide
reforms, with additional legal battles underway in California that might merge with the states'
multistate lawsuit.
Ohio blocked from implementing law restricting children’s use of Instagram, TikTok.
This ruling is an important development in the ongoing debate over how best to protect
children from the risks of social media, especially as concerns about its impact on mental health
continue to grow. Federal Judge Algenon Marbley’s decision to block Ohio's Social Media
Parental Notification Act reflects a broader tension between safeguarding minors and
protecting free speech rights. The law, which would require platforms like Instagram and
TikTok to obtain parental consent for users under 16, was intended to address issues like mental
health deterioration and online exploitation of children. However, Judge Marbley sided with the
tech industry, arguing that the law’s sweeping approach was too broad and infringed on minors'
First Amendment rights. Specifically, Marbley criticized the law’s blanket requirement for
parental consent, which he said could restrict minors’ access to a wide array of content that may
not be harmful. The judge’s decision temporarily halts the law while litigation continues, putting
a hold on the state’s attempt to implement such sweeping parental oversight for now. This ruling
comes amid similar court challenges to other state-level efforts aimed at restricting minors'
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access to social media or imposing additional safeguards. From a legal perspective, Marbley’s
ruling highlights a significant question of how far states can go in regulating online platforms,
especially when such regulation intersects with constitutional rights. The argument that these
laws overly restrict minors' access to information may be central to future court battles. On the
other hand, Ohio's Attorney General, Dave Yost, is pushing back, framing the law as a necessary
step to protect children’s mental health in the face of mounting evidence linking social media use
to issues like depression, anxiety, and even suicidal behavior. This is a sentiment echoed by
many who believe that tech companies should do more to protect younger users, especially as
studies continue to show the negative effects of social media on youth. The outcome of this case
could set a significant precedent for future laws aimed at regulating social media platforms in the
U.S., particularly as the federal government and state governments explore ways to balance the
risks of social media with the rights of users, including children.
Works cited
Fung, Brian. “Dozens of States Sue Instagram-Parent Meta over ‘addictive’ Features and
Youth Mental Health Harms | CNN Business.” CNN, Cable News Network, 24 Oct. 2023,
www.cnn.com/2023/10/24/tech/states-sue-instagram-parent-meta/index.html.
Reuters. “Ohio Blocked from Implementing Law Restricting Children’s Use of
Instagram, Tiktok.” New York Post, New York Post, 12 Feb.
2024, https://nypost.com/2024/02/12/business/ohio-blocked-from-implementing-law-restricting-
childrens-use-of-instagram-tiktok/
