Illinois is one of dozens of states that has joined a federal lawsuit alleging that Meta Platforms Inc., which operates Facebook, Instagram and other sites, uses harmful business practices to target children and to encourage them to spend unhealthy amounts of time on their platforms.
The suit also alleges that Meta’s practices have targeted youth in ways that “take advantage of them,” according to Raoul’s office. Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly“Our children are in crisis, and we need to act,” he said in a statement. “The addictive features on Meta’s social media platforms interfere with sleep and education, enable cyberbullying, and contribute to depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia and thoughts of self-harm.”
The suit also alleges that Meta violated the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act by collecting personal data from children under 13 without obtaining required parental permission.“ the attorneys general’s commitment to providing teens with safe, positive experiences online, and have already introduced over 30 tools to support teens and their families,” the company said in a statement.