Meta, the company behind platforms like Facebook and Instagram, faces lawsuits from over three dozen states accusing it of deliberately using features to attract children to its platforms. These states claim Meta employed “psychologically manipulative” features, leading young users into harmful content and unlawfully collecting their personal data without parental consent. In response, Meta highlighted its efforts to create a safer environment for teens and expressed disappointment in the legal action.
  

Key Points: 

1. Meta is being sued by over three dozen states, led by Colorado and California, for allegedly using manipulative features to entice children to Instagram and Facebook.
2. The lawsuit accuses Meta of pushing children into harmful content rabbit holes using features like “infinite scroll” and persistent alerts.
3. The company is also charged with violating federal children’s online privacy laws by collecting data from its youngest users without their parents’ permission.
4. 4. The coordinated legal action signifies states prioritizing the issue of online safety for children, similar to past legal battles against Big Tobacco and Big Pharma companies.
5. In defense, Meta states it has introduced over 30 tools to support teenagers and families and advocates for clear, age-appropriate standards across the industry.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/24/technology/states-lawsuit-children-instagram-facebook.html