Meta is facing substantial costs from lawsuits filed against the company over child-harm that happened as a direct result of use of its social medial platforms, and now the company is seeking immunity from those lawsuits by lobbying legislators.
Over the past few years, governments both within the US and outside of it have sought to hold Meta and other big tech companies accountable for the harm that they see as being done to children who use those company’s social platforms. Apps and services like Instagram, YouTube, and other similar offerings have resulted in several such cases. Between Meta and Google alone, both companies are facing a combined total amount of roughly $6 million from these lawsuits. Filed against both companies from “thousands of families and their kids.”
There’s little doubt that social media has done some form of harm to users. The more prominent issue is that some of that harm was to kids. Who are far less equipped to deal with the potential issues that might arise from using such services. Meta, and others such as TikTok, have been facing these sorts of crackdowns for years. In 2024, TikTok was reportedly facing lawsuits from 14 different states over this problem.
Meta wants immunity from child-harm lawsuits that could see it required to pay millions
Meta has faced lawsuits like this before and has even been required to pay for it. Earlier this year, a New Mexico jury issued a final judgment that stated Meta would be required to pay out a $375 million penalty. The case ruled that Meta has misled consumers over child safety. These lobbying attempts with congress are almost certainly in line with trying to avoid future payouts like that.
As reported by Reuters, language proposed by Meta to lawmakers would make Meta and other companies “immune from suit or liability under state law with respect to all claims for loss caused by, arising out of, relating to, or resulting from the safety or privacy of individuals under the age of eighteen online or otherwise related to the provisions.”
So in short, Meta doesn’t want to be held responsible for anything that happens as a result of use of its app by minors. Some will no doubt argue that this is acceptable. That parents should be responsible for keeping on watch on what their kids are doing. And parent accordingly. That being said, it also seems reasonable that companies should also be partly responsible for ensuring a certain level of safety on their platforms.
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