A judge has declared Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, free of personal liability in 25 lawsuits that allege his company has led children to become addicted to social media.
According to a Reuters report, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California, rejected on Thursday the accusations that Zuckerberg directed Meta’s efforts to conceal the serious mental health risks of Facebook and Instagram from children.
The plaintiffs called Meta’s billionaire co-founder the “guiding spirit” behind the alleged efforts to conceal the risks, stating that he ignored repeated internal warnings and publicly minimised them.
Despite the allegations, the judge determined that the claims against Zuckerberg lacked sufficient specifics and said “control of corporate activity alone is insufficient” to establish liability. Her decision does not impact the related claims against Meta.
The plaintiffs brought their claims under the laws of 13 different states, including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The 25 lawsuits are part of a much larger group, with several hundred filed by children, their families, and school districts, seeking damages from Meta, Alphabet’s Google, ByteDance’s TikTok, and Snap’s Snapchat over the harm caused by social media addiction.
Several U.S. state attorneys general are bringing similar cases against Meta, citing links between its social media platforms and anxiety, depression, insomnia, and negative impacts on education and daily life.
It is worth noting that Meta CEO Zuckerberg apologised to parents during a US Senate social media hearing at the beginning of 2024.
IS IT SAFE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 16 TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA?
It entirely depends on the country and its laws. For instance, Australia is considering restricting social media use for under-16s.
Social media can affect children’s mental, emotional, and physical health in a variety of ways.
Social media can bring about positive results, such as enhancing social connections and creative expression, but its risks should not be underestimated.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE KEY EFFECTS
- Mental Health Issues
- Sleep Disruption
- Impact on Academic Performance
- Social Skills Development
- Addiction
- Exposure to Inappropriate Content
- Changes in Self-Esteem
To protect children, it’s essential that parents, caregivers, and educators encourage healthy social media habits, engage in open dialogue about their online activities, and educate them about potential dangers.
The negative impact of social media on children can be mitigated through moderation, guidance, and proper education about its effects.