A group of attorneys general from 42 US states has filed lawsuits against Meta, the parent company of Instagram, alleging that Instagram and Facebook have been deceptive about the safety of their platforms and have done harm to young users. The lawsuits claim that Meta prioritized user engagement over user safety, leading to damage to the mental health of young people. The states’ case focuses on five Instagram features they consider “harmful and psychologically manipulative.” These features are:
Recommendation Algorithms: Instagram’s algorithms are designed to keep users hooked by presenting posts based on expected interest, creating a cycle of compulsive scrolling to seek pleasurable content.
Likes: The visibility of Like counts on Instagram posts encourages users to compare themselves to others, which can negatively affect self-esteem and mental health.
Notifications: Instagram’s use of notifications, including nudges to check the app, targets young users who find it hard to resist and use manipulatively designed options to keep notifications on.
Photo Filters: While much of the evidence related to filters is redacted, the states claim that appearance-tuning filters contribute to problematic body image ideals and eating disorders among teenagers.
Instagram Stories: Features like Stories, which display content for only 24 hours, and the infinite scroll system keep users constantly engaged and addicted, as they fear missing out on new content.
The lawsuits aim to force Meta to stop these practices and impose penalties. Meta has introduced tools, such as parental controls and usage limiters, for young users and contends that the lawsuits fail to consider its efforts to support teen users. The impact of social media on young people’s mental health continues to be a topic of debate and is under scrutiny by health experts and lawmakers.
The outcomes of these lawsuits may impact how social media companies design and manage their platforms, especially when it comes to protecting younger users and addressing the potential negative effects on mental health.
