NJ To Co-Leading Multi-State Investigation In Instagram's Effect On Teens

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey will co-lead a multi-state investigation into Instagram's potentially harmful effects on young users.

Among other things, the investigation is focused on techniques used by Instagram’s parent company Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly known as Facebook) to increase both the frequency and duration of engagement by young users, and on the potential harms that may result from such extended engagement.

New Jersey and other states penned a letter to Facebook earlier this year, urging Meta to scrap plans for an under-age-13 version of Instagram. In the letter, the states highlighted emerging research which suggested a connection between increased time spent online by kids and teens, particularly on social media platforms, and ill effects such as depression, anxiety, isolation, body image issues, cyber-bullying, eating disorders, and sleeplessness, among others.

“Parents are anxious about the effects of social media on their children’s wellbeing, and understandably so,” said Acting Attorney General Bruck. “We must ensure that social media platforms are not violating our laws or exposing our youth to mental and physical harms. And if we learn that companies like Meta knew that their products were harmful and tried to get kids hooked on them anyway, or otherwise violated our laws, we will take strong and aggressive action. That’s why a nationwide coalition is investigating, and that’s why I am proud New Jersey is taking a leadership role.”

The investigation comes on the heels of recent reports revealing that Meta’s own internal research shows that using Instagram is associated with increased risks of physical and mental health harms on young people, including depression, eating disorders, and even suicide.

In May, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office was part of a bipartisan coalition of 44 Attorneys General that urged Facebook to abandon its plans to launch a version of Instagram for children under the age of 13.

The Instagram investigation announced today involves a broad group of states across the country. In addition to Acting Attorney General Bruck, the bipartisan coalition of Attorneys General leading the investigation includes Attorneys General from Nebraska, Massachusetts, California, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Vermont.