Allegations of growing mental health risks for children and young people through Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and Co.
Numerous US school districts are suing social media giants. They argue that Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube are contributing to the growing youth mental health crisis in the United States. The streak began in January with a lawsuit filed by Seattle Public Schools and has picked up steam in recent weeks as school districts in California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida have followed suit. According to the lawyers involved, many more lawsuits are planned.
allegation of addiction
San Mateo County, home to 23 school districts and part of Northern California’s Silicon Valley, filed a 107-page lawsuit in federal court last week alleging that social media companies are using advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to create addictive Creating platforms that harm young people.
“The situation is catastrophic,” the filing reads. More and more children are struggling with their mental health if they use the platforms excessively. “There is simply no historical analogue to the crisis the nation’s youth are now facing,” it said.
Biden: It’s all about profit
The lawsuit refers to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to which more and more students have depressive symptoms and even suicidal thoughts. The increasing popularity of social media is consistent with the decline in adolescent mental health. The plaintiff cites US President Joe Biden, who recently said that the tactics used by social media corporations are an “experiment they are running on our children for profit”.
According to San Mateo County Schools Superintendent Nancy Magee, the rampant use of social media has shaped schools. There are “very serious” cyberbullying incidents in connection with the social web. She also pointed to other damage, such as vandalism in high school toilets during the so-called “Devious Lick Challenge.” Students across the country stole soap dispensers, flooded toilets, smashed mirrors, and then took to TikTok to show their orgies of destruction.
