The 2023 State Lawsuits Against Meta
Historical context updated September 30, 2026. The state attorneys general’s actions described here were announced in October 2023. For later developments, visit the social media addiction lawsuit guide.
On October 24, 2023, a bipartisan coalition of 42 attorneys general announced actions against Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram.[1] A group of 33 attorneys general joined a federal lawsuit in California, while other attorneys general brought separate actions.[2]
The filings alleged that Meta designed features to encourage excessive use by children and teenagers while misleading the public about risks. These were the governments’ allegations. The announcements did not establish that a court had found Meta liable.[2]
What the Attorneys General Alleged
California’s announcement described allegations involving platform design, statements about user safety, and the collection of children’s personal information. The federal complaint alleged violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and state consumer-protection laws.[2]
Massachusetts’ separate announcement identified features such as infinite scrolling, frequent notifications, autoplay, and rewards that vary unpredictably. The complaint alleged that these features exploited young users’ vulnerabilities and made it harder to regulate their time on Instagram.[1]
The Massachusetts complaint also alleged that Meta knew children younger than 13 used the service and did not adequately enforce its age restrictions. Those allegations concerned the company’s practices, rather than a conclusion that every child who used Instagram developed an addiction.[1]
What the Instagram Research Could and Could Not Show
Internal research became part of the public debate about Instagram and teen well-being. In September 2021, Facebook publicly released annotated research presentations and disputed how their findings had been characterized.[3]
The body-image findings concerned teens who already reported struggling with body-image issues. They should not be described as a finding about every teenage girl. Facebook’s response said the research asked whether Instagram made an existing concern better, worse, or unchanged. It also said the research did not establish causal relationships between Instagram and real-world problems.[3]
That response represents the company’s interpretation of its research. It does not resolve the governments’ legal allegations. Likewise, a complaint’s description of research should not be mistaken for an independent clinical assessment of a particular teenager.
How to Read This Historical Coverage
The state actions were part of a wider debate about youth safety, platform design, and corporate responsibility. California’s announcement described a multistate investigation that preceded the filings.[2]
Keep the date and type of document in view. A government announcement explains what an enforcement agency alleges and seeks. A company’s response explains its position. A later court decision may answer different legal questions. These sources should keep those distinctions when they are summarized.
The current lawsuit guide provides a separate place for subsequent developments. The original date and address of this historical article remain in place.
Find Support for Concerns About Social Media Use
A legal dispute does not have to be resolved before a family can discuss a concern. If you are worried about someone, begin with a supportive conversation and listen without judgment. SAMHSA notes that you cannot force a person to seek care, but you can help them find support.[4]
For educational information, explore social media use and addiction concerns and help for mental health concerns. A professional can assess the person’s needs rather than drawing a diagnosis from a headline.
If you or someone else is in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988 in the United States. For immediate life-threatening danger, call 911.[4]
Get Treatment Help
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, getting help is just a phone call away, or consider trying therapy online with BetterHelp.
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