Meta Platforms Inc. has announced its intention to appeal court rulings that allow multiple states and school districts to continue their lawsuits against the company, which accuse Facebook and Instagram of contributing to a youth mental health crisis.
The tech giant filed notices to appeal to the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals after a federal judge in California, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, ruled against Meta’s request to dismiss the case brought by 34 state attorneys general, according to Bloomberg.
These lawsuits argue that Meta’s social media platforms are responsible for addictive behaviours and harmful effects on young people’s mental well-being.
In the states’ case, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled in favor of 34 state attorneys general who had filed lawsuits against Meta, claiming that Facebook and Instagram contribute to harmful mental health effects among young people.
The judge allowed the lawsuits to move forward, rejecting Meta’s request to have the complaints dismissed.
In addition to the case involving Meta, the lawsuits filed by school districts also target TikTok, Snap, and Google.
Judge Rogers largely denied a request to dismiss negligence claims against these companies but did narrow the scope of the allegations that will move forward.
She ruled that certain claims are shielded by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a federal law that grants internet platforms immunity from liability for content posted by users.
However, other claims related to the platforms’ role in youth mental health will still be allowed to proceed in court.
