Supreme Court Tells Meta To Lick Their Lower Court Wounds - Above the Law

Teenagers report that pressure to use social media can feel stronger than pressure to drink or smoke. Legal questions about social media’s dangers are becoming more concrete, with demands for responsibility and answers. Meta faces court actions over alleged algorithmic choices that increase harm to children and teens. Meta and YouTube previously paid part of a $3M lawsuit after a jury found liability for encouraging a child’s depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphia. Meta attempted to have a Vermont attorney general lawsuit dismissed, but the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal, allowing the case to proceed. The Court rejected Meta’s jurisdiction argument.

"Teenagers have said that the pressure to use social media is stronger than the pressure to drink and smoke - what does that mean for the companies that are accused of ramping up how addictive they are to use? Meta is one of the big names being drawn into court over their algorithmic choices."

"Meta and YouTube had to pay their share of a $3M lawsuit back in March when a jury found them liable for encouraging a child's development of depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphia. And while the case was notable for the damages, it was only one of many cases going for Meta's pockets."

"The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Tuesday to hear a bid by Meta Platforms to avoid a lawsuit brought ​by Vermont's attorney general accusing the company of designing its Instagram social media app to be addictive to young users, as big ‌technology companies face mounting legal risks over child and teen safety."

"The justices turned away Meta's appeal of a lower court's ruling that let the lawsuit proceed, rejecting the company's argument that courts in Vermont lack jurisdiction over the dispute. Meta argued that it was unfair for them to be s"

Read at Above the Law