A federal judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit brought by 29 U.S. state attorneys general accusing Meta Platforms of designing Facebook and Instagram to encourage addictive use among children while concealing the potential harms from the public.
The ruling allows key claims involving deceptive practices, unfair business conduct and violations of the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) to move forward.
The decision marks a significant legal setback for the company as it faces growing scrutiny over the impact of its platforms on young users.
The states argue that research links prolonged use of Facebook and Instagram by children to depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, academic disruption and, in some cases, self-harm.
The case is part of broader nationwide litigation involving thousands of individuals, school districts and local governments seeking to hold major social media companies accountable for the effects of their platforms on children's mental health.
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— Reuters (@Reuters) June 30, 2026
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