Meta to Appeal US Court Orders Allowing Lawsuits Over Social Media Addiction

Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced its intention to appeal a series of court rulings that allow multiple lawsuits to proceed, accusing the company of contributing to the mental health crisis among young people through its “addictive” social media platforms. These lawsuits, initiated by over 30 US states and hundreds of school districts, argue that the platforms have had harmful effects on youth, particularly in relation to mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

Meta’s Appeal to Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
In a legal battle that continues to gain national attention, Meta filed notices late Thursday signaling its intent to appeal decisions made by US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. The ruling last month rejected Meta’s requests to dismiss the lawsuits, opening the door for state attorneys general and school districts to proceed with their claims. The company now plans to take the matter to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Judge Rogers sided with 34 attorneys general who filed lawsuits against Meta, accusing the company of exacerbating the mental health crisis among young users through its addictive social media applications, particularly Facebook and Instagram. These platforms are alleged to be particularly harmful to adolescents, contributing to issues such as body image problems, cyberbullying, and overall mental health decline.

School Districts Join the Legal Challenge
In addition to the state lawsuits, several school districts have also filed claims against Meta and other tech giants like TikTok, Snap, and Google. These claims allege that the addictive nature of these social media platforms has led to a spike in mental health problems, which school systems must address. While Judge Rogers denied Meta’s request to dismiss negligence claims, she did narrow the scope of the allegations that will proceed, ruling that some claims were protected under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act—a federal law that shields internet companies from certain types of lawsuits.

What’s Next for Meta?
Meta’s legal team now faces a crucial challenge as it prepares to present its case before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The outcome of these appeals could have significant implications not only for Meta but for the entire social media industry, as it may set a legal precedent regarding the responsibility of tech companies in relation to users’ mental health.

Web Team, C6N