US Social Media Giants Face Lawsuits Over Child Safety, Addiction, and Scams
Twenty years after their initial proliferation, social media platforms are facing intense legal scrutiny in the United States. Companies such as Meta (Facebook, Instagram), Google (YouTube), Snapchat, TikTok, Discord, and Roblox are defendants in thousands of lawsuits, predominantly concerning alleged harm to child users.
Legal experts suggest the results of these cases, whether settled or decided by jury verdicts, could precipitate significant changes in platform design and regulation. Eric Talley, a lawyer and professor at Columbia Law School, noted that the public and political attention on these lawsuits is likely to influence future elections and legislation.
Many cases are proceeding through California courts, where most major platforms are headquartered. This concentration could lead to nationwide shifts, a phenomenon dubbed the “California effect”. Alexis Shore Ingber, a communications law expert at Syracuse University, affirmed, “There’s no denying anymore that there is an issue with child safety on the platforms. We are seeing an inflection point.”
In a notable development this year, Meta and YouTube were ordered to pay $6 million in damages to a young woman who claimed social media addiction contributed to her mental health struggles. Both companies plan to appeal. Meta also faces an appeal against a verdict in New Mexico, where the state’s attorney general accused it of misleading the public about child safety, particularly concerning sexual exploitation.
Key Litigation to Watch
Several pivotal cases are advancing, shaping the future legal landscape for social media:
- Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) in California: Over 1,000 US school districts accuse Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok of intentionally designing addictive platforms, causing mental and emotional harm to children. Schools claim these harms constitute a “public nuisance” and demand liability for resource costs. A jury trial is set for February, potentially leading to changes in user engagement display and age-gating policies. YouTube and Snapchat deny the allegations, with YouTube stating, “The allegations in these complaints are simply not true.”
- State-led Lawsuit Against Meta: California and Colorado are leading 29 states in a lawsuit against Meta and Instagram, scheduled for trial in August. The states allege violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), a 2000 federal law designed to protect children under 13 online. Should the states prevail, Meta could be forced to prevent underage users and delete previously collected data, which it uses for advertising and AI training.
- Roblox and Discord Child Solicitation Case: A 13-year-old boy in California is suing Roblox and Discord, alleging he was groomed and solicited on their platforms. The lawsuit contends defective design and false marketing regarding child safety. The case, currently on hold pending an appeal against a court’s refusal to compel arbitration, could lead to significant changes in age verification and stranger interaction features if it proceeds to trial.
- Dr Andrew Forrest’s Scam Advertisement Suit Against Meta: Australian billionaire Dr Andrew Forrest initiated legal action against Meta in 2022, asserting the company failed to prevent scam advertisements using his image on Facebook. Forrest’s lawsuit directly challenges Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a 1996 law providing legal immunity to platforms for content posted by users. A ruling in Forrest’s favour could dismantle decades of platform defence strategy.
