Instagram’s Effects on Children Are Being Investigated by Coalition of States

A bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general announced it is investigating how Instagram attracts and affects young people, amping up the pressure on parent company Meta Platforms over potential harms to its users. Led by eight states, including Massachusetts and Nebraska, the coalition is focused on “the techniques utilized by Meta to increase the frequency and duration of engagement by young users and the resulting harms caused by such extended engagement.” The attorneys general said they are investigating whether the company, formerly known as Facebook, violated consumer protection laws and put the public at risk. A Meta spokesman said the investigation was premised on a misunderstanding of issues that also affect other social-media platforms.