At the time of this writing, 41 states have joined in a federal law suit against Meta the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The states claim Meta and its application organizations have mislead the public regarding the harmful effects of social media on mental health.
In response, Meta said it was, “disappointed,” about the suit.
Attorneys general in the 41 states contend Meta has:
- Broken consumer protection laws by engaging in deceptive conduct.
- Collected data on children 13 years and younger, breaking the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
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…
A Meta Spokesperson
Social Media Has Ruined a Good Time
Social media and big tech companies have drawn the ire of congress and state governments this past decade. After collecting intelligence on billions of people, exchanging ad dollars for misinformation, and snooping users’ private details global governments all agree social media is problematic.
We’ve been talking about the harmful effects social media has on self-esteem here, Fox News Radio, and on First News 570 for years. Social media allows everyone to create a curated view of their lives. Users posting pics and videos of their exotic travels enhance the natural envy in others.
The travails of people’s lives have led to a whole influencer culture and market where folks curate, post, and boost seemingly joyful expressions on amazing experiences. This has fueled a feedback loop of regular humans who look at their immediate surroundings and wonder where they went wrong, and others who aspire to be culture influencers and racking up debt. Would-be influencers pretend to party on yachts and fronting their ability to afford globe trotting jaunts.
Social media has also ruined regular, every day good times. Legions of ordinary humans post their meals at restaurants and engage in silly behavior in pursuit of going viral. Millenials and GenZers no longer know how to party and have a good time. Instead they whip out their phones at bars and (strip) clubs pretending to enjoy themselves while imagining they’re in the own rap video.
All while trying to go viral.
For one more ‘Like’. And, another ❤️ on a post that hopefully gets boosted.
Social media has created an environment where everyone can be an Internet superstar which exacerbates an already difficult adolescent and teenaged experience. Teenagers already struggle with their sense of self and developing interpersonal relationships. Social media ain’t helping.
The States – United
Well, parents, and the states parents pay taxes in have had enough.
Studies aren’t conclusive about the linkage between mental health and social media, but anecdotal evidence says otherwise. Frances Haugen blew the whistle on Facebook citing the company’s unquenchable thirst for eyeballs has harmed children and sows social rifts.
There are times when studies don’t always correlate with reality and this is one of those instances. TikTok and Instagram lifestyles aren’t real. The social networks know that. Parents know that. Children don’t really understand it.
The 41 states have listened to their constituents and are taking action for the harm these companies have wrought. Let’s see how this plays out. No one really likes social media companies, they just happen to be a part of our lives now.
-MJ