Another School District has Filed a Lawsuit Against Big Tech Companies—Cites Harm Done to Teenagers By Social Media Addiction
In recent years, new information has come to light regarding the role that the social media companies have played in getting teenagers addicted to their platforms. Social media addiction is associated with adverse mental health outcomes in young people—especially in teenage girls. Depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and even suicides have been linked to social media.
Last year, school districts began filing lawsuits against big tech companies. According to a report from the Daily Dot, the Charleston County School District has now filed a complaint against Facebook, Instagram, and several other companies. Here, our New York & New Jersey social media addiction litigation attorneys highlight the key things that parents should know.
Complaint Filed By School District Alleges Student Harm from Social Media Addiction
The Charleston County School District has filed a complaint against major social media platforms. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and SnapChat were all named as defendants. Notably, the lawsuit accuses the tech giants of fostering social media addiction among underage users. These platforms are alleged to endanger youths and harm their mental health and self-image.
The school district claims these issues have increased their mental health and disciplinary services costs. Filed in a South Carolina federal district court, the lawsuit suggests these platforms are deliberately crafted to addict young users and even lead to their sexual exploitation. The complaint specifically criticizes Meta especially for designing addictive platforms to maximize ad delivery.
Example of Meta Strategy Cited in Lawsuit: Messenger Kids
Notably, the complaint filed in the federal court in South Carolina highlights Meta’s Messenger Kids as proof that the company aims to attract children as young as six. According to the allegations, a 2018 meeting summary suggests Meta intends users to transition across its platforms as they age. The lawsuit claims every aspect of Meta’s interface is crafted to prolong and increase user engagement. Due to Meta’s confidential algorithms, the lawsuit believes that the full extent of the platforms’ alleged harmful designs will only emerge during the discovery phase.
Parents of Affected Teenagers Have Also Filed Lawsuits (More than 1,000 Nationwide)
Parents across the nation, deeply concerned about the harmful effects of social media on their teenage children, have taken legal action. Indeed, more than 1,000 lawsuits have been filed by parents who believe these platforms have contributed to their children’s deteriorating mental health, compromised self-image, and in some cases, incidents of online exploitation. These legal actions, spanning multiple states, signify a growing distrust and frustration with big tech companies, which many believe prioritize profits over user safety. If your child was adversely affected by social media addiction, our attorneys can help you determine the best course of action.
Contact our New York & New Jersey Social Media Addiction Litigation Attorneys Today
At Poulos LoPiccolo PC, we are actively investigating social media addiction lawyers. If you have any questions about holding Meta or other social media giant legally liable for a teenager’s social media addiction, please do not hesitate to contact us today. Our law firm handles social media addiction lawsuits in New York and New Jersey.
Source:
dailydot.com/debug/social-media-addiction-charleston/
