Lawsuit Accuses Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok of Deliberately Designing Platforms to Manipulate and Addict Children, Prompting a Call for Accountability and Compensation
New York City Takes Legal Action Against Social Media Giants, Alleging Contribution to ‘Youth Mental Health Crisis’
In a noteworthy move, the City of New York filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the companies behind popular social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram (owned by Meta), YouTube, and TikTok. The city accuses these platforms of playing a role in what they term a “nationwide youth mental health crisis” by exposing children to what they deem harmful content.
The lawsuit, filed in California Superior Court, asserts that these social media companies intentionally crafted their platforms to manipulate and addict children and teenagers. It specifically points to the use of algorithms designed to generate feeds that prolong users’ time on the platforms and foster compulsive usage.
The legal action alleges that the addictive nature of these platforms has led to significant disruptions in school district operations and placed a substantial burden on cities, school districts, and public hospital systems that provide mental health services to youth. It claims that, despite being presented as ‘social,’ these platforms have, in various ways, promoted disconnection, disassociation, and resulting mental and physical harm.
The lawsuit contends that the social media companies manipulate users through algorithms, encouraging a cycle of responding to positive actions with further positive actions. Social media platforms, according to the lawsuit, exploit reciprocity by automatically notifying users when their messages are seen or delivered, fostering an environment that encourages repeated returns to the platform.
In response to the lawsuit, Snapchat emphasized its unique design, focusing on helping users communicate with close friends rather than encouraging passive scrolling. TikTok highlighted its industry-leading safeguards, including age-restricted features and parental controls. Meta, the owner of Instagram, stated that the safety of teens is a top priority, emphasizing the tools and features they have developed over the past decade.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed concern over the impact of social media platforms on children’s mental health, stating that while the city values innovation and technology, certain social media platforms jeopardize mental well-being and promote unsafe behavior. The city, having invested significant resources in addressing mental health issues among students, is seeking legal recourse to recoup some of the associated costs.
The lawsuit demands relief for the damage or injury suffered by the city, including actual and compensatory damages to be determined at trial.