The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that Meta Platforms must face a lawsuit filed by the state’s attorney general, alleging the company deliberately designed Facebook and Instagram features to addict young users. The decision marks the first time a state high court has weighed whether Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act shields tech companies from claims tied to platform design rather than user-generated content.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell argues that features such as push notifications, “likes,” and infinite scrolling exploit teens’ psychological vulnerabilities and fear of missing out. The lawsuit further alleges that internal research showed harmful impacts on young users, but top executives—including CEO Mark Zuckerberg—failed to act on recommended changes that could improve user well-being. Meta has denied the claims, stating it prioritizes safety and has implemented measures to protect younger users.
The ruling comes amid mounting legal pressure on Meta nationwide. Recent jury decisions in California and New Mexico have found the company liable in cases involving harm to young users, with penalties and damages totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. Meanwhile, dozens of other states have launched similar lawsuits, signaling a broader legal challenge to how major social media platforms design and operate their services for younger audiences.
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