“Meta must face a lawsuit by Massachusetts’ attorney general alleging the company designed its Instagram social media platform to addict children, the state’s top court ruled on Friday.”

“The ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court marked the first time a state high court has considered whether Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act would bar claims that companies like Meta knowingly addicted young users.”

“A Los Angeles jury on March 25 found Meta and Alphabet’s Google negligent for designing social media platforms that are harmful to young people.”

“A Los Angeles jury awarded a combined $6 million to a 20-year-old woman who said she became addicted to social media as a child.”

“A separate jury found Meta owed $375 million in civil penalties in a lawsuit by New Mexico’s attorney general, accusing the company of misleading users about the safety of Facebook and Instagram and of enabling child sexual exploitation on those platforms.”

“Thirty-four other states are pursuing similar cases against Meta in federal court.”

“At least nine state attorneys general have filed lawsuits against Meta since 2023, including one filed on Wednesday by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird.”

“Internal data showed the platform was addicting and harming children, yet top executives rejected changes its research showed would improve teens’ well-being.”

“Meta had sought to duck the Massachusetts case based on Section 230. But a trial court judge rejected that argument, prompting Meta to appeal.”

“Meta has denied the allegations and says the company takes extensive steps to keep teens and young users safe on its platforms.”

“The lawsuit is one of thousands of cases by individuals, municipalities, states and school districts nationwide seeking to hold Meta and other social media companies responsible for allegations that they designed their platforms to be addictive to young users.”