States sue Facebook - harming young people's mental health
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33 US states, including New York and California, have joined forces to sue Facebook's parent company Meta - which also owns Instagram - in federal court. In parallel, nine states themselves have sued Meta in their respective states.

The states allege that Meta used new, powerful technology to attract, engage and captivate young people and teenagers in front of their cell phones with the motive of maximizing the company's profits. It is also believed that the company has repeatedly misled the public about the dangers of its platforms.

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Another allegation is that it has concealed how it "exploits and manipulates its most vulnerable consumers".

"Children and teenagers are suffering record levels of mental illness and companies like Meta are responsible," said Letita James, director of the New York Department of Justice.

Meta disappointed
In a statement, Meta claims that it wants to offer "safe, positive experiences online" and that it has implemented tools on the platforms to help teenagers and their parents.

It also says it is disappointed that the states chose the path of lawsuits "instead of working productively with companies in the industry to create clear, age-appropriate standards for the many apps teenagers use."