More than 40 US states and the District of Columbia are suing Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, alleging that the company has harmed children and teens by knowingly and deliberately designing features on its platforms that addict children to its products. The lawsuits allege that Meta has violated consumer protection laws by misleading users about the dangers of its platforms for young people. They also allege that Meta has violated federal law by collecting data on children under 13 without their parent's consent. Here are some of the key reasons why states are suing Meta:

• Addiction: The lawsuits allege that Meta has designed its platforms to be addictive, especially for young users. They point to features such as the infinite scroll, which keeps users scrolling through their feeds for hours on end, and the like button, which provides a social reward for posting and interacting with content.
• Harm to children: The lawsuits allege that Meta's platforms can harm children in a number of ways, including by increasing their risk of depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. They also allege that Meta's platforms can expose children to harmful content, such as cyberbullying and pornography.
• Data collection: The lawsuits allege that Meta violates federal law by collecting data on children under 13 without their parents' consent. Meta does this by tracking users' online activity and using cookies and other technologies to collect information about their interests and demographics.

Meta has denied the allegations in the lawsuits. The company has said that it is committed to protecting young users and that it has taken steps to make its platforms safer for children. However, the lawsuits are still in their early stages, and it remains to be seen whether Meta will be held liable for the alleged harm to children and teens. What could happen next? The lawsuits against Meta are likely to go on for some time. The company has a lot of resources at its disposal, and it is likely to fight the allegations vigorously. However, if the states are successful, Meta could face significant financial and legal penalties. The lawsuits could also lead to changes in the way that Meta designs its platforms. If the company is found to have violated consumer protection laws, it could be forced to change its practices. This could include making it easier for users to opt out of data collection and giving parents more control over their children's online activity. The lawsuits against Meta are a significant development in the ongoing debate about the impact of social media on children and teens. If the states are successful, it could send a strong message to other tech companies about the need to protect young users. Thanks for listening to Quiet Please. Remember to like and share wherever you get your podcasts.