Wisconsin is one of nearly 3 dozen states to file lawsuit against social media giant Meta

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Dozens of states, including Wisconsin, are suing social media giant Meta over claims that the company is harming its younger users. 

A 233-page lawsuit filed by 33 attorney generals earlier this week in California claims Meta's products like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads, purposefully use addictive features on their apps that directly contribute to the growing youth mental health crisis.

The suit also claims that Meta routinely collects data from users under the age of 13 without parental consent which is against federal law.

This marks the latest attempts by states to rein in large tech platforms over fears that social media companies are fueling a spike in youth depression and suicidal ideation. 

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said in a statement that "we must keep our kids safe—and that includes from dangers online."

“Adequate protections should be in place to protect kids from harms associated with social media, and parents must receive accurate information about potential dangers to their kids," the statement continued.

The suit is asking Meta to end its practices it claims are violating the law and seeks both restitution and financial damages. 

With millions across the country having access to social media right at their fingertips, it's not a surprise that some are concerned about its effects on our future generations.

"Social media is a very important issue for children's mental health these days," said Linda Hall, the director of the Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health. "There have been studies that show that certain number of hours after a certain number of hours of screen time that kids start to get more sad, depressed, and anxious."

Hall told CBS 58 that social media can be addicting for all ages, which is why it's important to have a balance -- especially after the COVID-19 pandemic which only exacerbated usage as many were stuck inside. 

"It's setting up some parameters in the house and making sure that there are times when people put their phones down," Hall said.

For parents like Nichole Clark, who has an 18-year-old, two 12-year-olds, and an 11-year-old, setting those boundaries are key.

“I do have to set a timer for social media especially for the younger ones," Clark told CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White. “[My son] will get addicted, like I’ll see like maybe an hour straight and I have to be like nope, we’re not doing that.”

Clark said she only allows an Instagram account for her son because of his sports, but that her children have to ask permission for other apps.

"It kind of leads from one thing to the next," Clark said.

Her son Dallas, 11, agreed noting that too much social media usage can "ruin people's brain cells."

For 14-year-old Shania Kendricks, her entrance into the online world started when she was in third grade.

“It's funny videos and cool TikTok dances to learn," Kendricks said. "It’s just addicting to watch and it’s funny to watch and it’s cool to watch.”

Kendricks has two phones -- one she uses to call and text and another for games and social media apps.

"TikTok, Instagram, and Roblox," Kendricks said are her top three most used. “A lot of kids in this generation, they be on tablets, they play Roblox, YouTube, a lot of social media get used in our generation.”

A Meta spokesperson sent CBS 58 a statement in response to the lawsuit which reads in full:

“We share 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. We’re disappointed that instead of working productively with companies across the industry to create clear, age-appropriate standards for the many apps teens use, the attorneys general have chosen this path.”