Meta Platforms fails in its effort to dismiss a lawsuit brought by several US states that accuse the company of driving children’s addiction to Facebook and Instagram. According to reporting across multiple outlets, the states argue that Meta’s design and practices harm minors and violate children’s online privacy requirements. Meta counters that it did not break the relevant children’s online privacy law, and it sought to have the case thrown out before it reaches further litigation.
The court’s refusal to dismiss means the states’ claims are allowed to proceed, though the filings and specific legal arguments still need to be tested in later stages of the process. The dispute centers on whether Meta’s product features and data-handling practices with respect to children comply with US legal obligations. With the dismissal request denied, the case continues under the states’ theory that Meta’s platforms contribute to addictive behaviors and that the company failed to meet required safeguards for minors.
