Meta, the company holding ownership over various popular social media platforms, is facing lawsuits from over 30 states. The suits come after suspicion regarding addictiveness to metas platforms, specifically its effect on young children. Claiming that its platforms lied about possible effects on mental health and violated privacy and protection laws, 33 state attorney generals signed the lawsuit filed on October 24. 

The states claim that meta “designed psychologically manipulative product features to induce young users’ compulsive and extended use” of their platforms. This comes after individual state-run investigations launched, regarding public concerns about teen safety on platforms such as instagram. 

The lawsuit claims that safety first comes into question when users download its platforms, as it is alleged that the company does not enforce the 13+ age restriction it claims to require.  Many state attorney general's claim that users signing up for platforms operated by meta are easily enabled to lie about their age. 

If meta is found to be guilty, it is likely that the company will be incentivized to adjust its  marketing and design strategies, following a heavy fine they will be expected to pay out. 

As of right now, meta has avoided the lawsuit, claiming it has already made changes to improve user safety.

“We’re disappointed that instead of working productively with companies across the industry to create clear, age-appropriate standards for the many apps teens use, the attorneys general have chosen this path,” a meta spokesperson said. 

The push back from meta is probable to continue, as this lawsuit is the largest state-led challenge alleging a social media company of violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, according to Politico. Meta is predicted to fight to get the case dismissed, but with a banned-together group of states this large, the fight will not be easy.