Meta, Facebook, Instagram: The Legal Quagmire Over Youth Mental Health

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is currently embroiled in a significant legal battle in the US. A whopping 33 states have taken legal action against them, alleging that Instagram poses a threat to the mental health of young users. But before we dive into opinions, let's first lay out the facts.


The Backstory: In 2021, Frances Haugen, a former Meta employee, blew the whistle on the company by leaking what are now referred to as the "Facebook papers." These documents shed light on the adverse effects of Instagram on the body image of teenage girls. More alarmingly, they indicated that the company was fully aware of these repercussions.

Fast forward to February of this year, President Joe Biden voiced his concerns about the detrimental mental health effects of social media on young users. He called upon Congress to enact bipartisan legislation to tackle this pressing issue.

By May, the Surgeon General had issued an advisory on the matter, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Furthermore, lawyers representing over 100 families have lodged a master complaint against several social media giants, including Meta, Snapchat, Google, and ByteDance (TikTok's parent company). They accuse these platforms of harming young users with their products. The case is still in progress. The attorneys involved in the case lauded the move by the US attorneys general, stating, "This significant step underscores the undeniable urgency of addressing the impact of addictive and harmful social media platforms”.

In response, a spokesperson for Meta remarked, “We’re disappointed that instead of working productively with companies across the industry to create clear, age-appropriate standards for the many apps teens use, the attorneys general have chosen this path.”

My Take on the Issue: With over 15 years of experience working with children worldwide, engaging with tech giants, and serving on numerous safety advisory boards, I can confidently say: there is a problem. The excessive use of social media, gaming, and screens in general among young people is a global concern. The core issue here is the distorted body image among young teenage girls. But the problem extends beyond that. The constant barrage of misinformation, unrealistic expectations, and a deluge of information without proper interpretation is overwhelming. We've all fallen victim to doom scrolling, haven't we?

These platforms are designed to retain users for as long as possible. Why? Because your attention translates to their profit.

Seeking Solutions: When it comes to children, we need a different approach. Introducing new technology should be a gradual process. Just as leaving a child unsupervised with cutlery can be dangerous, the same applies to the internet. They need guidance until they understand the boundaries. The solution lies in education, information, and awareness. Parents, schools, and policymakers play a pivotal role in this. There are numerous organizations, including Common Sense Media, Fosi, Wranga, and Social Media Matters, that offer valuable resources.