School Board Accuses TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat of Deliberately Cultivating Mental Health Crisis Among Students

The San Mateo County superintendent and school board has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat, accusing the tech companies of contributing to a mental health crisis among U.S. students. The lawsuit alleges that these platforms were purposefully designed to be addictive and that their algorithms deliberately deliver harmful content to young users, leading to an unprecedented mental health crisis.

The social media companies named in the lawsuit have been accused of activities such as negligence, racketeering, public nuisance, and unfair competition law violations. A Seattle school district filed a similar lawsuit against the same three companies in January.

The lawsuit seeks to have the tech companies' actions declared a public nuisance and for the court to stop them from continuing that behavior. It also demands that the defendants contribute to a public education fund and pay compensatory and punitive damages.

TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat have argued that they have tools in place to protect children and prioritize their safety and well-being. However, the lawsuit alleges that these platforms are knowingly contributing to a mental health crisis, which is a feature of their social media products and not a bug.

As TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat grew in popularity between 2011 and 2021, mental health issues among youth such as depression and suicidal thoughts have also increased, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study cited in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit excludes Facebook and Instagram, whose parent company Meta is based in San Mateo County. However, Facebook employees have been accused of knowing that Instagram had toxic effects on young women and girls, according to a 2021 Wall Street Journal investigation.

This lawsuit is part of a larger conversation about the impact of social media on mental health, particularly among young people. As social media platforms continue to be a dominant force in our lives, it is important to consider their potential effects and the responsibility of the companies behind them.

If you're experiencing any issues with your school related to social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat, contact an education lawyer from EducationLawyers.com for legal assistance.