The Supreme Court has declined to hear Meta Platforms Inc.'s appeal against a lawsuit filed by Vermont's attorney general, alleging that Facebook and Instagram are designed to be addictive and harm young users. The decision, issued on Tuesday, allows the case to proceed in Vermont state court.
Background of the Case
Vermont's attorney general filed the suit in 2023, following an investigation by a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general. The lawsuit claims that Meta knowingly designed its platforms with addictive features that negatively impact teenagers' mental health. Meta argued that Vermont courts lack jurisdiction because the company and its app design have no specific ties to the state. However, Vermont countered that the large number of teen users in the state establishes jurisdiction.
Supreme Court's Order
The Supreme Court rejected Meta's appeal in a brief, unexplained order, which is typical for such decisions. This outcome follows similar legal setbacks for Meta and YouTube in social media addiction lawsuits in California and New Mexico.
Internal Research on Harms
Newspaper reports based on Meta's own internal research revealed that the company was aware of the potential harms Instagram can cause teenagers, particularly teen girls, including mental health issues and body image problems. One internal study cited that 13.5% of teen girls said Instagram makes thoughts of suicide worse, and 17% said it makes eating disorders worse.
Teen Social Media Use
According to the Pew Research Center, nearly all U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 use at least one social media platform, with about a third reporting that they use social media "almost constantly."
Meta's Response
Meta has stated that it has introduced dozens of tools to support teens and their families and expressed a willingness to work with states on standards for youth social media use. The company faces similar lawsuits from multiple states across the country.
