Massachusetts High Court Says Meta Must Face State Suit Over Youth Addiction Claims

Overview

• Massachusetts’ top court allowed Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell’s case to proceed, finding Section 230 does not block claims aimed at Meta’s own conduct rather than user posts.
• The lawsuit says Instagram’s push alerts, likes, and endless scroll were built to exploit teens’ fear of missing out and cites internal data that the platform harms children.
• Meta denies the allegations and says it has broad measures in place to protect teens on Facebook and Instagram.
• The decision comes after March jury verdicts that found Meta and Google negligent in Los Angeles with a $6 million award and set $375 million in civil penalties against Meta in a New Mexico case.
• At least nine state cases have been filed since 2023 and 34 states are pressing related claims in federal court, signaling wider legal exposure that could shape how platforms design for young users.