In a significant move against social media giants, the U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to block a lawsuit targeting Facebook and Instagram. This development arrives as scrutiny over the impacts of social media on youth intensifies.
Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, sought to challenge a lawsuit initiated by the Vermont Attorney General in 2023. The lawsuit accuses Meta of intentionally crafting addictive features on its platforms, a claim echoed by other states across the nation.
The crux of Meta’s argument was its belief that Vermont lacked jurisdiction, as neither the company nor the app designs are directly linked to the state. However, Vermont countered by highlighting the significant number of teenage users within its jurisdiction, justifying the state court’s involvement.
The Supreme Court, adhering to its customary practice, declined to hear Meta’s appeal without explanation. This follows previous legal setbacks for Meta and YouTube in similar cases concerning social media addiction in California and New Mexico. More details on these cases can be found here.
The Vermont lawsuit emerged from a comprehensive investigation by a bipartisan group of state attorneys general. This action was bolstered by media reports, which revealed Meta’s internal research acknowledging the adverse effects of Instagram on teens, particularly girls. Notably, a study reported that 13.5% of teenage girls felt Instagram exacerbated suicidal thoughts, while 17% believed it worsened eating disorders.
According to a Pew Research Center study, nearly all U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 engage with social media platforms, with about one-third logging in “almost constantly.”
Meta has responded by emphasizing its efforts to support young users and their families through various tools and has expressed a willingness to collaborate with states on setting standards for social media use among youth.
Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, asserting, “that companies that choose to do business in Vermont, like Meta, can be held accountable when they harm kids.”
