New York City has filed a new lawsuit accusing Facebook, Google, Snapchat, TikTok and other online platforms of fueling a mental health crisis among children by addicting them to social media.
The 327-page lawsuit filed Wednesday in Manhattan federal court seeks damages from the owners of Facebook and Instagram, Meta Platforms, Google and YouTube, Alphabet, Snap, which owns Snapchat, and ByteDance, which owns TikTok. It accuses the defendants of gross negligence and causing a public nuisance.
The city joined other governments, school districts and individuals pursuing approximately 2,050 similar lawsuits in nationwide litigation in federal court in Oakland, California.
New York City is one of the largest claimants, with a population of 8.48 million, including about 1.8 million under the age of 18. Their school and health systems are also demanding.
Google spokesman José Castaneda said the allegations related to YouTube “are simply not true,” in part because it is a streaming service and not a social network where people catch up with friends.
The other defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
A spokesperson for New York City’s legal department said the city has withdrawn from litigation announced by Mayor Eric Adams in February 2024 and pending in California state courts to join the federal litigation.
Info:
Governor of Illinois and the mayor of Chicago assure that they will not take ‘a step back’ before Trump
Defendants blamed for compulsive use, “Subway Surfing”
According to Wednesday’s lawsuit, the defendants designed their platforms to “exploit the psychology and neurophysiology of youth” and encourage compulsive use in pursuit of profit.
The lawsuit stated that 77.3% of New York City high school students and 82.1% of girls admitted to spending three or more hours a day on “screen time,” including television, computers and smartphones, which contributes to lack of sleep and chronic absences from school.
New York City’s health commissioner declared social media a public health hazard in January 2024, and the city, including its schools, has had to spend more taxpayer money to address the resulting youth mental health crisis, according to the lawsuit.
The city also blamed social media for an increase in “subway surfing,” or riding on or beside moving trains. At least 16 “subway surfers” have died since 2023, including two girls aged 12 and 13 this month, according to police data.
“Defendants must be held accountable for the harm their conduct has caused,” the city said. “As it stands now, plaintiffs are forced to lessen the hassle and foot the bill.”
With information from Reuters.
Follow information about the world in our international section
