New York City Files Lawsuit Against Social Media Platforms Over ‘Youth Mental Health Crisis’
New York City, under the leadership of Mayor Eric Adams, has taken legal action against popular social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube. The city claims that these platforms have contributed to a youth mental health crisis. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges that certain features engineered into these platforms have had a detrimental impact on the psychological well-being of users, especially when used for prolonged periods.
The lawsuit references research studies that highlight the negative effects of these platforms on users, including addiction, compulsive use, body dissatisfaction, anxiety, depression, and self-harming behaviors. New York City is seeking to join similar lawsuits already pending in the Los Angeles area, which is why the case was filed there.
Within the 311-page lawsuit, the city aims to establish a judicial finding that the platforms’ conduct constitutes a public nuisance. Furthermore, they are demanding an order to cease the alleged conduct that is exacerbating the crisis. The suit also calls for the payment of funds for preventive education and mental health treatment, damages, attorney fees, and more. The causes of action listed in the lawsuit include public nuisance, negligence, and gross negligence.
The lawsuit argues that the social media platforms did not take sufficient steps, if any, to ensure the safety of adolescents using their services. The suit claims that certain platform features exploit children and adolescents, such as algorithmically-generated endless feeds that induce users into a constant scrolling state, intermittent variable rewards that manipulate dopamine delivery, metrics and graphics that exploit social comparison, and inadequate age verification protocols.
In response to the lawsuit, Tech: NYC, a coalition of technology companies, issued a statement criticizing the city’s action. The coalition believes that instead of joining an ongoing lawsuit, Mayor Adams should have made an effort to work with tech companies to find collaborative and effective solutions to the issue. Tech: NYC believes that such cooperation would position New York as a leader in addressing the challenges posed by social media, making the city an exemplary model for others.
During a news conference, Mayor Adams emphasized that the city already invests $100 million in youth mental health care. The crisis resulting from the alleged negative impact of social media has led to increased misbehavior among young people, including rowdiness, fighting, and vandalism.
The law firm Keller Rohrback LLP filed the lawsuit on behalf of the city of New York, working on a contingency basis. The firm’s involvement demonstrates the seriousness of the city’s stance on the matter and its commitment to seeking a resolution.
The lawsuit against social media platforms reflects New York City’s concern for the mental well-being of its young residents. By holding these platforms accountable for their alleged contribution to the youth mental health crisis, the city hopes to raise awareness, promote necessary changes, and secure funds for preventive education and essential mental health treatments.
In the continuing legal battle, the outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications, not just for New York City but also for other jurisdictions grappling with similar concerns regarding the impact of social media on the mental health of young people.
