Meta related to the well-being of younger users
Meta a recently unveiled version of the multi-state lawsuit against Meta reveals a disturbing pattern of deception and downplaying in the company’s treatment of children under 13 on its platforms. Internal documents suggest that Meta’s approach to this supposedly prohibited demographic is much more lax than it publicly acknowledges.
The lawsuit, filed last month, outlines various damaging practices at Meta related to the well-being of younger users. From issues like body image concerns and bullying to privacy invasion and engagement maximization, the allegations paint a comprehensive picture of social media ills, with Meta at the center. However, it also raises questions about the company’s priorities.
In paragraphs 642 through 835, the documentation obtained by the attorneys general of 42 states focuses on violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). This law imposes specific restrictions on online interactions with young individuals, emphasizing limitations on data collection and the necessity of parental consent. However, numerous tech companies, including Meta, appear to treat these regulations more as suggestions than requirements.
Attorney General Rob Bonta of California expressed confidence in the COPPA allegations, stating, “Meta is knowingly taking steps that harm children, and lying about it.” The unredacted complaint reportedly reveals Meta’s awareness that millions of kids under 13 use its social media platforms, and the company unlawfully collects their personal information.
The lawsuit contends that Meta fails to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting the personal information of children on Instagram and Facebook, despite having internal records acknowledging the active presence of under-13 users.
Meta responded to the allegations, stating that the lawsuit “mischaracterizes our work using selective quotes and cherry-picked documents” and that the company has measures in place to remove under-13 accounts when identified. However, Meta also emphasized the complexity of verifying the age of online users.
The lawsuit highlights several significant aspects, revealing that Meta internally tracked and documented users under 13 for years. CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly received a report in 2018 estimating that around 4 million people under 13 were on Instagram in 2015. While Meta publicly denied such extensive numbers, internal data from 2020 indicates a substantial usage percentage among children aged 6 to 12.
An internal presentation from 2017, titled “Teens Strategic Focus,” appears to target children under 13, emphasizing the goal to increase monthly and daily active users among this demographic. The lawsuit underscores that while Meta prohibits accounts run by those under 13, there are legal and safe ways to engage with this age group, requiring verified parental consent and limited data collection and use.
In essence, the lawsuit suggests that Meta, instead of implementing stringent rules to address the issue of underage accounts, chose to turn a blind eye for years, potentially impacting user numbers but raising serious concerns about child safety on its platforms.
