Meta Loses Bid to Dismiss U.S. States’ Claims That Facebook and Instagram Addict Children

Meta Platforms has suffered a significant legal setback after a U.S. federal judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit brought by 29 state attorneys general accusing the company of deliberately designing Facebook and Instagram to be addictive to children while concealing the platforms’ harmful effects on young users. The decision allows one of the most consequential legal challenges against the social media giant to move toward trial.

The ruling was issued by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California. The judge rejected Meta’s request to dismiss claims alleging deceptive business practices, unfair competition and violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). She also granted partial summary judgment in favor of the states, finding that Meta failed to meet COPPA’s requirements regarding parental notice and consent for children’s data collection.

The lawsuit alleges that Meta intentionally incorporated features such as endless scrolling, algorithm-driven recommendations, notifications and other engagement tools to keep children and teenagers using Facebook and Instagram for prolonged periods. According to the states, the company knew these design choices could contribute to anxiety, depression, eating disorders, sleep disruption and suicidal thoughts among young users but continued prioritizing profits over children’s safety.

Meta denied the allegations and argued that the lawsuit should be dismissed because “social media addiction” is not a formally recognized psychiatric diagnosis. The company maintained that its statements about the safety of its platforms were truthful and that the plaintiffs failed to prove its products are inherently addictive. Judge Gonzalez Rogers disagreed that the case could be resolved at this stage, ruling that factual disputes about the platforms’ effects and Meta’s conduct should be decided by a jury.

The attorneys general welcomed the decision, describing it as an important step toward holding technology companies accountable for the impact of their products on children. They argue that Meta misled parents and the public about the risks associated with prolonged use of its platforms while continuing to expand features that encouraged compulsive engagement among minors.

The lawsuit is part of broader litigation facing Meta over children’s mental health. Thousands of individual lawsuits, school districts and local governments across the United States have also accused the company and other social media firms of contributing to a youth mental health crisis through addictive platform designs. Several earlier cases have already resulted in significant jury verdicts and settlements, increasing pressure on technology companies to strengthen child safety measures.

Judge Gonzalez Rogers scheduled the first trial involving claims from four of the participating states to begin on August 18, with the outcome expected to influence similar lawsuits pending across the country. Legal experts say the case could reshape how courts evaluate the responsibilities of social media companies toward children and determine whether technology firms can be held legally accountable for the psychological effects of their products.

Meta has said it has introduced numerous safety features for teenagers, including parental supervision tools, stricter privacy settings and limits on certain types of content. Nevertheless, critics argue those measures are insufficient and that the company’s business model still relies heavily on maximizing user engagement, particularly among younger audiences.

The decision represents another major legal challenge for Meta as it continues to face increasing scrutiny from regulators, lawmakers and courts over online child safety, privacy and the design of its social media platforms. If the states ultimately prevail at trial, the case could result in substantial financial penalties and force changes to how Facebook and Instagram operate for younger users.