Summary
Massachusetts' highest court is reviewing a lawsuit that claims Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, created addictive features aimed at young users to increase profits. The lawsuit highlights issues like constant notifications and endless scrolling that could particularly affect teenagers. Meta disputes these allegations, stating that their actions are protected under free speech laws.
Key Facts
- The lawsuit was filed by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell in 2024.
- It claims that Meta designed features on Facebook and Instagram to be addictive for profit.
- State Solicitor David Kravitz stated the claims focus on Meta's tools and their addictive nature.
- Meta argues that their actions are protected by the First Amendment, which safeguards free speech.
- Meta faces similar lawsuits from multiple states related to addiction and privacy issues among children.
- Some judges focused on Meta's notification features, which might exploit teenagers' fear of missing out.
- The Wall Street Journal reported in 2021 that Meta knew Instagram could harm teenagers' mental health.
- Critics argue Meta hasn’t sufficiently addressed safety concerns for teenagers on its platforms.
