A recently unredacted version of the lawsuit filed against Meta alleges a concerning pattern of deception and minimization in how the company handles children under 13 on its platforms. Internal documents appear to show that the company deals with this restricted age group much more leniently than it has publicly claimed.
Introduction
The lawsuit filed last month presents a wide range of harmful practices within the company related to the health and wellbeing of younger individuals using its platforms. From body image to bullying, privacy invasion to maximizing engagement, all alleged ills of social media are directed at Meta’s doorstep – perhaps rightly, but it also gives an impression of a lack of focus.
Violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act
The lawsuit claims that “Meta does not obtain – or even attempt to obtain – verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children on Instagram and Facebook… but Meta’s own records reveal it has actual knowledge that Instagram and Facebook are targeting and recording children as users.”
While the issue of identifying child accounts created in violation of platform rules is certainly a challenging one, it is assumed that Meta has chosen to ignore it for years rather than enforce stricter rules that could necessarily affect user numbers.
Meta’s Tracking of Users Under 13
Meta tracks users under 13 closely according to internal documents. In 2018, it noted that 20% of 12-year-olds use Instagram daily. This is not a showcase of how to remove them – it relates to market penetration. Another chart shows Meta’s knowledge that 20-60% of users aged 11 to 13 used Instagram regularly at least monthly.
Impact of Social Media Use on Body Image and Bullying
The lawsuit suggests that use of Meta’s platforms contributes to body image deterioration and that the company has failed to take appropriate measures. However, the issue of COPPA is more straightforward and conclusive.
Impact of Social Media Use on Children’s Health
The lawsuit states: “We have evidence that parents are sending them notes about their children using their platform, and they are not getting any action. I mean, what more do you need? It shouldn’t have to come to this.”
Meta could end all this today if it wanted to; it could easily prevent children under 13 from accessing its platform. But it does not.
The unredacted complaint can be read here.
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