The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Tuesday to hear an appeal by Meta Platforms seeking to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Vermont’s attorney general alleging that the company engineered its Instagram app to be addictive to young users. By refusing to take up the case, the Supreme Court allowed the lawsuit, originally filed in 2023, to move forward.

Meta had argued that courts in Vermont did not have jurisdiction over the dispute, contending that the company’s operations were not sufficiently connected to the state. However, the lower courts had ruled otherwise, permitting the case to proceed in Vermont. The Supreme Court’s decision to reject Meta’s petition effectively upholds the lower court’s determination.

The lawsuit, brought by Vermont’s attorney general, accuses Meta of designing features within Instagram that specifically target and exploit the vulnerabilities of adolescent users, leading to addictive use patterns. The case highlights growing legal scrutiny over social media platforms and their impact on mental health, particularly among younger demographics.

Meta’s legal team contended that the company’s business practices did not warrant jurisdictional reach in Vermont and sought to have the case dismissed at that stage. The Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene suggests deference to the lower court’s evaluation of the jurisdictional issues.

As a result, the lawsuit will now continue through the legal process, potentially setting precedents for how social media companies may be held accountable for the effects of their products on youth mental health and well-being. Meta has maintained that its platforms are developed with user safety in mind and that it complies with applicable laws. The legal proceedings in Vermont will further examine these claims in the months ahead.