30+ states allege Meta intentionally designed Instagram to be addictive

In a legal challenge, over 30 U.S. states are aiming for Instagram's parent company, Meta, alleging its photo-sharing app was intentionally designed to hook and harm adolescents. Filed in federal court, the lawsuit claims Instagram deploys an addictive concoction of infinite feeds, constant notifications, and other behavioral tricks to entrap teens’ attention. This “addict’s algorithm” deliberately preys on young users’ vulnerabilities, the suit argues, triggering destructive usage, low self-esteem, and severe mental anguish.

Installed on millions of teenagers’ phones nationwide, Instagram allegedly causes both mental and physical harm—from anxiety and depression to eating disorders and suicidal thoughts. With teen well-being and social media addiction under the microscope, experts say this expansive lawsuit could spark meaningful reform if regulators prevail in unraveling Instagram's labyrinthine and potentially dangerous engagement algorithms designed for addiction over health.

"Meta has profited from children’s pain by intentionally designing its platforms with manipulative features that make children addicted," said Letitia James, the New York attorney general spearheading the case.

In addition, eight more states filed similar lawsuits against Meta in various state courts. Florida also sued the tech giant separately in federal court over allegations it misled users about potential health risks.

The raft of legal action stems from a bipartisan investigation that began in 2021 after Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen leaked internal documents. Haugen's trove allegedly showed Meta knew its platforms could negatively impact teens' well-being.

"We know that there were decisions made, a series of decisions to make the product more and more addictive," said Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. "We want the company to undo that, to make sure that they are not exploiting these vulnerabilities in children."

The federal complaint seeks court orders banning the alleged conduct and financial penalties in participating states.

"We share the attorneys generals' commitment to providing teens with safe, positive experiences online, and have already introduced over 30 tools to support teens and their families," Meta responded in a statement. "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."

California Attorney General Rob Bonta cited "growing evidence that social media has a negative impact on our children," including links between heavy use and depression, anxiety and addiction.

The lawsuit comes shortly before a federal judge considers similar claims against Meta and other tech firms. On Friday, Google, Meta, Snap and TikTok will urge dismissal of some 200 lawsuits from private plaintiffs accusing the companies of harming users.

States bringing the federal case hope it could prompt nationwide remedies. Participating are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Additional suits were filed by the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and Vermont in various state courts.

The federal complaint takes aim at Instagram's design, arguing the app exploits teens' vulnerabilities through intentionally addictive features. It states Instagram promotes endless scrolling with algorithms suggesting new content and sends frequent notifications to retain user attention.

"Meta’s design choices and practices take advantage of and contribute to young users’ susceptibility to addiction," the lawsuit reads. "They exploit psychological vulnerabilities of young users through the false promise that meaningful social connection lies in the next story, image, or video."

The lawsuit cites internal Meta research that allegedly acknowledged Instagram's negative impacts on the body image and mental health of teens, especially teen girls. However, it claims the company failed to address these issues in order to boost profits and engagement.

Meta has introduced new parental controls and supervision tools for teens in response to the backlash. But the lawsuit argues these measures fall short of protecting minors.

The legal assault represents the latest attempt by states to increase oversight of large tech platforms. Some states have passed laws requiring parental consent for accounts of minors or mandating age verification.

The tech industry has challenged such regulations as violations of free speech. But New Hampshire's attorney general said the multistate lawsuit targets Meta's conduct, not speech.

While Friday's federal court hearing focuses on harms to users of all ages, the states' complaint concentrates on Instagram's impact on minors. It claims the app violates the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, which bars collecting data of children under 13 without parental approval.

With young people's mental health front and center, states are ramping up pressure on tech companies like Meta to alter platforms they say are causing harm. The sweeping lawsuits set the stage for a prolonged legal battle over social media's duties to protect its youngest users.