School districts across the U.S. are filing lawsuits against social media companies, alleging that using platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube has contributed to the rise of youth mental health issues.
The first lawsuit was filed by Seattle Public Schools in 2022 and has been followed by others in California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida.
School officials have observed increased mental health emergencies, cyberbullying incidents, and vandalism due to social media use.
- San Mateo County in northern California filed a 107-page complaint stating that social media companies used AI and machine learning to create addictive platforms.
- Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a rise in depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts among teens that correspond with the increasing use of social media.
- School districts seek to declare that social media companies' conduct is a public nuisance.
- They seek that the damages caused should be paid to fund prevention, education, and treatment for problematic use of social media.
Social media companies claim to prioritize teen safety and describe measures to protect young users.
