FILE PHOTO: The Instagram application is seen on a phone screen August 3, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas White
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan coalition of U.S. state attorneys general said on Thursday it has opened a probe into Facebook, now known as Meta Platforms, for promoting its subsidiary Instagram to children despite potential harms.
The investigation, involving at least nine states, comes at a time when Facebook is under scrutiny over its approach to children and young adults.
The attorneys general are investigating whether the company violated consumer protection laws and put young people at risk, they said in emailed statements.
“Facebook, now Meta, has failed to protect young people on its platforms and instead chose to ignore or, in some cases, double down on known manipulations that pose a real threat to physical and mental health – exploiting children in the interest of profit,” said Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey in a news release.
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A Meta spokesperson responded in a statement that “these accusations are false and demonstrate a deep misunderstanding of the facts.”
“While challenges in protecting young people online impact the entire industry, we’ve led the industry in combating bullying and supporting people struggling with suicidal thoughts, self-injury, and eating disorders,” the spokesperson said.
