(Reuters) – Dozens of U.S. states are suing Meta Platforms and its Instagram unit, accusing them of contributing to a youth mental health crisis through the addictive nature of their social media platforms.
In a complaint filed in the Oakland, California federal court, 33 states said Meta, which also operates Facebook, has repeatedly misled the public about the substantial dangers of its platforms and knowingly induced young children and teenagers into addictive and compulsive social media use.
“Meta has harnessed powerful and unprecedented technologies to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens,” the complaint said. “Its motive is profit.”
Their lawsuit seeks a variety of remedies, including substantial civil penalties.
Nine other states are expected to file similar lawsuits on Tuesday, bringing the total number of states suing to 42.
Meta was not immediately available for comment.
The Menlo Park, California company and other social media companies already face hundreds of lawsuits brought on behalf of children and school districts raising similar claims.
(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Rod Nickel)
