Meta Platforms ($META) must face a lawsuit brought by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell alleging the company designed Facebook and Instagram features to addict young users, following a ruling by the state’s highest court. The decision allows claims to proceed despite Meta’s argument that federal law shields it from liability, adding to a growing wave of legal challenges targeting social media platforms over youth safety.
- Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled Section 230 does not bar claims focused on Meta’s own platform design and business practices.
- The lawsuit alleges features such as infinite scroll, push notifications, and “likes” were designed to exploit teens’ psychological vulnerabilities.
- Meta denies the allegations and says it has implemented safeguards to protect younger users.
- The ruling follows recent jury decisions, including a $6 million award tied to social media addiction claims and a separate $375 million penalty in a New Mexico case.
- At least 34 states are pursuing similar lawsuits in federal court, with multiple additional state-level cases filed since 2023.
- Meta’s lobbying disclosures show elevated spending in 2025, with activity tied to technology policy, platform safety, and regulation of online services, as detailed here.
- Filings include issues related to data privacy, content moderation, and youth online protections—areas central to the legal arguments in the Massachusetts case.
Relevant Companies
- Meta Platforms ($META) – Directly impacted as the defendant in multiple lawsuits and subject to increasing regulatory scrutiny.
- Alphabet ($GOOGL) – Named in related litigation involving social media and platform design impacting young users.
Editor’s Note: This is a developing story. This article may be updated as more detail
