Georgia attorney general joins others in suing Meta over social media influence on kids

Facebook and Instagram parent Meta is under fire for not doing enough to protect young users. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr and fellow attorneys general from dozens of states and D.C. are suing Meta.

The coalition of law enforcement officials claims that features on Instagram and Facebook are addictive and are intentionally targeting kids and teens without their parents’ consent.

The group also claims the social media giant’s business practices violate state consumer protection laws and the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

In a press release, AG Carr said, “We will not allow our state’s youngest citizens to be the targets of deceptive social media tactics, and we’re working diligently to address this dangerous and alarming trend. Our consumer protection laws are put in place to protect people from misleading and potentially harmful actions, which includes the exploitation of Georgia’s youth.”

On Monday’s edition of “Closer Look,” David Schweidel, a professor of marketing at Emory’s Goizeuta Business School, talked with show host Rose Scott about the latest in the case.