Addictive

California Enacts Pioneering Social Media Law to Protect Minors, Restricting Addictive Features and Nighttime Access

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Sacramento, CA – California is taking significant strides to protect its youngest residents from the harmful effects of social media. Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed Senate Bill 976, a groundbreaking law designed to curb the potentially addictive and harmful digital behaviors encouraged by social media platforms, particularly among minors. Authored by State Senator Nancy Skinner, SB 976 introduces stringent requirements for digital platforms. It aims to prevent these platforms from fine-tuning their algorithms to addictively engage children without explicit parental consent. Additionally, the legislation restricts the ability of social media companies to send notifications to … Read more

Teen Takes Legal Action Against Meta, Claims Instagram’s Addictive Design Harms Youth

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San Francisco, CA — A California teenager has initiated a legal battle against Meta Platforms Inc., claiming that certain features on Instagram are purposefully designed to be addictive, particularly to young users. This lawsuit, filed in federal court in San Francisco, accuses the tech giant of engineering its social media platform in a way that hooks adolescents into excessive use, potentially leading to mental health struggles. The lawsuit leverages arguments from consumer protection and negligence, alleging that Instagram’s algorithms, which curate and personalize content feeds to maximize user engagement, significantly contribute to the development of … Read more

Class-Action Lawsuit Argues Dating Apps Like Tinder and Hinge Are Deliberately Addictive, Contradicting Their Intended Purpose

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – Dating apps like Tinder and Hinge are facing a class-action federal lawsuit filed in California on Valentine’s Day, alleging that they are intentionally designed to be addictive. The lawsuit claims that hidden algorithms encourage users to stay on the apps and “gamify dating,” contrary to their stated purpose of facilitating genuine connections and relationships. Six plaintiffs argue that these apps, owned by Match Group which also includes Match.com, OkCupid, Hinge, and Plenty of Fish, have created a business model that thrives on cultivating a sense of addiction and driving costly subscriptions. … Read more