Meta Sued for Failing to Protect Minors from Harmful Content and Sex Trafficking
More than 1,800 plaintiffs including parents, children, school districts and state attorneys general are suing Meta and other social media platforms, alleging the company failed to protect minors from harmful content, self-harm information, and sex traffickers on Facebook and Instagram. Plaintiffs claim Meta prioritized profits over child safety and allegedly designed addictive features exploiting teens' developmental vulnerabilities.
What happened
New Mexico's attorney general filed six motions against Meta in state court in Santa Fe alleging that Meta slow-walked removal of children under 13 from Facebook and Instagram, and closed its eyes to teen suicide and eating disorders on its platforms.
A lawsuit by more than 1,800 plaintiffs including parents, children, school districts and attorneys general in the Northern District of California alleges that Meta tolerated suspected sex traffickers on Instagram, with one former head of safety and well-being testifying that accounts could incur 16 violations for prostitution and sexual solicitation before suspension on the 17th violation.
Court documents allege that a Meta researcher compared Instagram to a 'drug,' writing 'We're basically pushers.' The lawsuit claims Meta designed addictive platform features that exploited teens' developmental vulnerabilities.
Reported impact
New Mexico stated that Meta had contributed to a surge in teen suicides and other mental health problems for teens in the state, despite having knowledge that its platforms harmed teens' mental health and well-being.
The lawsuit alleges that Meta reneged on promises to add safety programs to protect minors from child predators using encryption on its Messenger service, and misrepresented the safety of its platforms regarding removal of content encouraging or providing methods of suicide, self-injury, and eating disorders.
Index analysis
Meta's platforms are accused of failing to enforce age restrictions and using addictive features that harm children's mental health. The company allegedly prioritized growth and profits over child safety and took advantage of teens' developing brains that diminish capacity for sound judgment and emotional regulation.
Governance controls
Meta has denied the allegations and said it has immediately and permanently deleted accounts suspected of human trafficking and exploitation for years. The company said the lawsuit contains 'cherry-picked quotes and misinformed opinions' and has sought to have the case dismissed.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.