It is an open secret that children aged 13 and under can log in to Instagram, Facebook and other social media simply by lying about their age or pretending to be an adult. Yet social media contains vast quantities of content that is inappropriate for very young users. These users may also be exposed to dangerous predators. While the potential psychological harm caused by social media to children is well known, the owners of these websites, including Meta Platforms Inc. (Meta), have prioritized their profits over protecting the safety of these youngest users.

In October 2023, 33 states (the States) acted together to file a massive litigation against Meta to protect the children in their respective states. The 233-page complaint alleges that Meta purposefully designed its social media platforms to be attractive to children and in direct violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by unlawfully collecting children’s personal data without their parent’s permission. People of the State of California v. Meta Platforms, 4:23-cv-05448, (N.D. Cal. Oct. 24, 2023). The individual states allege violations of a variety of their statutes including claims of consumer fraud or protection, unfair competition, deceptive trade practices or unconscionable business actions.

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