Meta Threatened To Be Sued! Social Media Makes Youth Addicted And Depression

JAKARTA - Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has to face lawsuits from several US states accusing it of triggering mental health problems among teens by creating an addictive social media platform. This was decided by US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, in California on Tuesday, October 15.

In its ruling, Rogers rejected Meta's request to drop claims filed by more than 30 states, including California and New York, as well as similar lawsuits from Florida. The states accuse Meta of making misleading statements encouraging platform addiction to teens, which has a negative impact on their mental health.

Although Rogers agrees that part of federal law, namely Section 230, protects Meta, he found that the state has enough evidence to continue most of the lawsuit.

The decision also affects other social media companies such as TikTok, YouTube, and SnapChat, where personal injury lawsuits against them also cannot be dropped.

California's Attorney General, Rob Bonta, stated that Meta must be responsible for the damage it causes to children in California and across America. The lawsuit aims to stop the considered illegal Meta business practices, as well as demand undetermined compensation.

Meta, through its spokesperson, expressed its disapproval of this decision and claimed to have developed various tools to support parents and adolescents, including the "Teen Accounts" feature on Instagram with additional protection.