Lawsuits have been filed against Activision and Meta, as well as gun manufacturer Daniel Defense, by the families of victims of the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The families are represented by attorney Josh Koskoff, who previously achieved a settlement for the families of Sandy Hook shooting victims. These lawsuits claim that the technology companies have collaborated with the firearms industry in a manner that is comparable to the controversial Joe Camel campaign.
The focus of the lawsuit is on Activision’s popular video game franchise, “Call of Duty,” which the plaintiffs argue has played a significant role in attracting a new and youthful consumer base for the AR-15 assault rifle. Additionally, Instagram, owned by Meta, is accused of knowingly allowing firearm advertising despite its purported rules against it.
Activision expressed sympathy for the families but emphasized that millions of people enjoy video games without engaging in violent acts. The company and Meta have not yet provided further comment on the matter.
According to the lawsuit, the Uvalde shooter was a player of “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare” and was also exposed to Daniel Defense’s advertising on Instagram. While Meta does ban gun sales on its platforms, previous reports suggest that the company gives gun sellers multiple chances before taking action.
The lawsuit argues that these defendants are targeting and influencing alienated teenage boys, ultimately contributing to the creation of mass shooters. However, the debate about whether video games promote real-life gun violence continues among politicians.
To shed light on this issue, a recent review conducted by the Stanford Brainstorm Lab examined 82 medical research articles and concluded that there is no causal link between playing video games and real-life gun violence according to current research and scholarship.
While the lawsuits bring attention to the potential influence of video games and social media platforms on individuals’ behavior, it is essential to consider the broader context. The question of whether video games cause violence remains inconclusive based on scientific studies. The responsibility lies in fostering an environment where individuals can access mental health support and ensuring that firearms are regulated appropriately to prevent tragedies from occurring.