January 3, 2024

States Sue Meta Over 'Addictive' Apps and Danger to Young People

Ask students: Do you think federal or state governments should regulate social media more (pass laws to govern ways social media works)? If so, what regulations do you think would be most important?

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Summary

Meta is the target of state lawsuits over allegations it has harmed the mental health of children and misled the public about safety. State attorneys general argue Facebook and Instagram deliberately manipulate their apps in ways that addict kids and failed to keep them off despite age limits. Stephanie Sy discussed the legal scrutiny of social media with Jeff Horwitz of The Wall Street Journal.

For a transcript of this story, click here.

News wrap alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

Warm Up Questions

What is Meta, and what social media are part of the company?
Who is suing Meta?
How does Meta manipulate young people to become addicted to social media, according to the suit?
Why do algorithms set up by social media sites like Facebook or Instagram draw some people into dangerous online communities?
Who is Jeff Horwitz, and what does his book examine?

Focus Questions

Do you think federal or state governments should regulate social media more (pass laws to govern ways social media works)? If so, what regulations do you think would be most important?

Media literacy: How could you find out more about the lawsuit described in this story?

Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?

For More:

What students can do: Watch the following video from Student Reporting Labs on the damage social media did to one relationship. Then discuss —

Do you think social media can be a danger for relationships and mental health?
What might be some of the positives?
How could social media be improved to avoid negative impact on mental health and relationships?

Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.

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PBS News Hour Classroom

PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More