Nov 8 (Reuters) – A federal judge said Meta Platforms (META.O), opens new tab CEO Mark Zuckerberg is not personally liable in 25 lawsuits accusing his company of addicting children to social media.
U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California, on Thursday rejected accusations that Zuckerberg directed Meta’s efforts to conceal from children the serious mental health risks of using Facebook and Instagram. She ruled that the claims did not sufficiently demonstrate intentional wrongdoing by the CEO or the company.
The plaintiffs called Meta’s billionaire co-founder the “guiding spirit” behind the alleged concealment efforts, claiming that he ignored repeated internal warnings about the risks and, instead, publicly downplayed them.
However, the judge found a lack of specifics regarding what Zuckerberg did wrong, stating that “control of corporate activity alone is insufficient” to establish liability. Consequently, her decision does not affect related claims against Meta itself.
Lawsuits Across 13 States Target Social Media Giants Over Child Mental Health Risks and Addiction
The plaintiffs brought claims under the laws of 13 U.S. states: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Previn Warren, a partner at Motley Rice representing the plaintiffs, said on Friday his clients will continue gathering evidence “to uncover the truth about how Big Tech has knowingly prioritized profits over the safety of our children.”
The 25 lawsuits are part of 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 social media addiction. These lawsuits have gained momentum as concerns over the mental health impacts of social media use, particularly among young people, continue to grow.
Dozens of U.S. state attorneys general are pursuing similar cases against Meta, arguing that its social media platforms contribute to anxiety, depression, insomnia, and interfere with education and daily life.
The case is In re Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 22-md-03047.
