In today's episode of the Passing Judgment podcast, host Jessica Levinson discusses the recent lawsuits filed by over 3 dozen states against Meta for allegedly promoting addictive behavior and pushing harmful content to minors.

Here are three key takeaways from the episode:

1️⃣ Congress's inaction has led to a dangerous vacuum when it comes to protecting children and teens on social media. The absence of federal legislation has prompted states to sue Meta, seeking to hold them accountable for their alleged violations of privacy and consumer protection laws.

2️⃣ Evidence shows a strong link between time spent on social media and increased depression, anxiety, and self-esteem issues among kids and teens. Cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content have even been linked to the death of minors. It's crucial that we address these issues and prioritize the mental health of our younger generations.

3️⃣ While Meta has made some reforms and safety improvements, more needs to be done. Content moderation, algorithm changes, and increased privacy protections are essential to mitigate the harm faced by minors. Without federal legislation, lawsuits filed by the states may serve as a means to push for change in the absence of proactive action.

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