BOSTON (RTW News) — Massachusetts’ highest court reviewed arguments on Friday regarding the state's lawsuit alleging that Meta has crafted features on Facebook and Instagram to foster addiction among adolescent users.
The lawsuit, initiated in 2023 by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, accuses Meta of prioritizing profit over young users' mental health by making its platforms addictive, impacting hundreds of thousands of teenagers across Massachusetts.
State Solicitor David Kravitz stated, We are basing our claims solely on tools developed by Meta, which its own research suggests cultivate addiction in various ways, clarifying that the case does not center around the company’s algorithms or content moderation failures.
In defense, Meta attorney Mark Mosier expressed strong disagreement with the allegations, asserting that evidence would prove the company's longstanding commitment to aiding young users. He argued that the lawsuit challenges traditional publishing functions and is grounded in free speech protections under the First Amendment.
“The Commonwealth's case would have a better chance if it claimed our speech was false or fraudulent,” Mosier claimed. “Yet, when they concede its truthfulness, it falls squarely under First Amendment protection.”
Several judges voiced more concern regarding Meta’s functions like notifications rather than the content itself. Justice Dalila Wendlandt mentioned, I understand the claims focus on how Meta’s incessant notifications are engineered to exploit teens’ fear of missing out. Justice Scott Kafker added, “It’s not about what to publish, but how to attract attention to the information.”
This lawsuit complements ongoing federal and state actions against Meta, which face accusations of knowingly designing features intended to captivate children and adolescents. A coalition of 33 states launched a joint action in 2023 against the tech giant, alleging breaches of federal law by collecting data on children under 13 without parental approval.
Additionally, a report published by The Wall Street Journal in 2021 revealed that Meta was aware of Instagram's adverse impacts on teenage girls, correlating its use with increased suicidal thoughts and eating disorders.
Critics argue that Meta has not sufficiently addressed safety concerns surrounding teen mental health. A report from former employee Arturo Bejar and four nonprofit organizations stated that Meta continues to adopt superficial solutions rather than implementing effective safety measures.
Meta dismissed these claims, asserting that the report mischaracterizes the company's efforts amid the ongoing litigation.
