Meta must face youth‑harm suit

Massachusetts’ highest court ruled on April 10 that Meta must face a state lawsuit accusing Instagram of being designed to hook children. (mass.gov) The case was filed by Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell in Suffolk Superior Court on October 24, 2023, and it says Meta used product features to drive compulsive use by minors. (mass.gov) The Supreme Judicial Court said the lawsuit can proceed because it targets Meta’s own design and business practices, not just posts created by users on Instagram. (mass.gov) That distinction is central to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, the federal law internet companies often cite when they want lawsuits over user content thrown out. The court said Section 230 protects publishers from claims based on third-party content, but not from claims over a company’s own conduct. (mass.gov) Massachusetts says Instagram’s design choices included frequent notifications, infinite scroll, autoplay, and disappearing content that kept children checking the app. The complaint also says Meta misled the public about safety risks tied to heavy use by young people. (courthousenews.com) The state’s lawsuit brings consumer-protection and public-nuisance claims, arguing that harm to children also imposed costs on schools and health systems in Massachusetts. (mass.gov) (commonwealthbeacon.org) Meta argued the claims were barred by Section 230 and sought dismissal before trial. The Supreme Judicial Court unanimously rejected that argument and left the case in the trial court. (mass.gov) (reuters.com) Meta has denied the allegations and said it has taken extensive steps to protect teens and younger users on its platforms. (usnews.com) The ruling does not decide whether Meta is liable or owes damages. It means Massachusetts can keep pressing the case and try to prove that Instagram’s design, not just its content, harmed young users. (mass.gov)