Attorneys General announce action against social media companies

(KYMA, KECY/NBC) - Attorneys General across the nation held a press conference to announce action against social media companies regarding the mental health of young people.

According to NBC News, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and 31 bipartisan state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against Meta for allegedly targeting kids with "addictive features."

The attorneys general say Meta designed its Facebook and Instagram products to keep young users repeatedly coming back.

A spokesperson for Meta says they are committed to providing teens with "safe, positive experiences online."

The states are seeking to end what they see as Meta's harmful practices, as well as penalites and restitution, according to NBC.

"We need to be acting to make sure that we put people's public health, people's mental health over the profit of companies who may have an interest in keeping these young people engaged in what is dangerous to their health."

Philip J. Weiser, Colorado Attorney General

"We're here because we're facing a problem that is national in scope. So it requires a national response which you're seeing on full display here today. Our investigation has found that Meta has misled its users and that it's putting our children in harm's way."

Rob Bonta, California Attorney General

The federal lawsuit, filed in California, also accuses Meta of violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act by collecting personal data on users under 13 without parental consent.

State leaders in Utah announced Sunday a proposal of a new rule to protect children online and on social media, according to NBC.

To watch the livestream, see attached video.