California Attorney General Rob Bonta, in collaboration with a bipartisan group of 33 attorneys general, has successfully opposed Meta's effort to dismiss a lawsuit that accuses the company of contributing to a mental health crisis among children. The legal action claims that Meta allowed young children access to its platforms, violating federal laws, and misled the public about harmful features on Instagram and Facebook that allegedly addict children and teens.
Attorney General Bonta stated, "Meta needs to be held accountable for the very real harm it has inflicted on children here in California and across the country." He emphasized that this litigation, along with new legislation, will shape how social media companies are held responsible and interact with young users in the future.
Bonta expressed optimism about California's role as a leader in technology innovation. "As the home to the greatest innovators in the world and a robust technology sector, California has a particular opportunity and obligation to be a catalyst for change," he added. Bonta urged Meta to improve its practices, asserting that "our children deserve their childhoods back."