Wisconsin State Journal readers have sent in several letters to the editor about how the state should spend about $200 million from a settlement with social media giant Meta. You can join the conversation by sending your own letter to wsjopinion@madison.com.
The best use for the $213 million settlement Meta will be giving to Wisconsin for promoting cellphone addiction among young people is to equip every school in the state with cellphone lockers. Wisconsin also should adopt a law insisting school districts require students to use them.
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul just delivered a huge win in protecting kids from big tech, with $200 million headed into the Badger state. Kaul helped sue Meta, claiming its products, including Facebook and Instagram, are dangerous and addictive for children.
Wisconsin, along with 28 other states, will receive a portion of the recent Meta settlement. Wisconsin will receive at least $213 million over the next decade.
Meta and other social media platforms have been hauled to court in a number of jurisdictions to face accusations that their platforms are addictive and harmful to young users. Similar to allegations leveled against Big Tobacco in the 1990s and Purdue Pharma in the early 2020s, states and individuals are taking these social media industries to court because of their alleged harmful effects on the physical and mental health of those who use their products, especially children.
