Meta Platforms appealed after Vermont’s highest court allowed a lawsuit brought by the state attorney general to move forward. Meta argued it could not be sued in Vermont because it and the app design lacked specific ties to the state. Vermont countered that the platforms’ large teen user base in Vermont gave its courts jurisdiction. The Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal in an unexplained order. The procedural outcome followed other losses for social media companies in addiction-related cases in California and New Mexico. Vermont’s case followed a multi-state investigation and reports based on Meta research indicating knowledge of harms to teenagers, including mental health and body image effects. Meta said it has introduced many tools for teens and families and offered to work with states on youth standards.
"Meta had argued that it can't be sued in Vermont court because neither the company nor the app design has specific ties to the state. Vermont countered that the sites' large number of teen users gives its courts jurisdiction. The Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal in a brief, unexplained order, as is typical. The procedural decision comes after court losses for Meta and YouTube in social media addiction lawsuits in California and New Mexico."
"Newspaper reports based on Meta's own research also found that the company knew about the harms Instagram can cause teenagers - especially teen girls - when it comes to mental health and body image issues. One internal study cited 13.5% of teen girls saying Instagram makes thoughts of suicide worse and 17% of teen girls saying it makes eating disorders worse. Almost all teens ages 13 to 17 in the U.S. report using a social media platform, with about a third saying they use social media "almost constantly," according to the Pew Research Center."
"Meta, for its part, has said that it has already introduced dozens of tools to support teens and their families and suggested it would have worked with the states on standards for youth social media use. Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark applauded the decision, saying it affirms "that companies that choose to do business in Vermont, like Meta, can be held accountable when they harm""
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