NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Mayor Eric Adams announced the filing of a lawsuit on Wednesday to hold social media platforms accountable for “fueling” the nationwide youth mental health crisis.
The lawsuit, filed in California Superior Court by the City of New York, the Department of Education and NYC Health + Hospitals, lists five platforms, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube, and seeks to hold them accountable for their role in creating the youth mental health crisis in New York City.
More than a third of 13- to 17-year-old kids report using one of the social media platforms “almost constantly” and admit this is “too much.” In 2021, 77% of New York City high schoolers spent three or more hours daily on screens, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit claims that the companies intentionally designed the platforms to become addictive for children and teens with features that include using algorithms to create feeds that keep users engaged and encourage frequent use.
It also claims that the apps are designed with technology similar to gambling, triggering anticipation and desire for "likes" and "hearts," and streaming personalized ads.
According to the complaint, the social media platforms also manipulate people and exploit users to feel obligated to respond positively to positive actions with features like messages being “seen” or “delivered,” prompting users to keep coming back.
“Over the past decade, we have seen just how addictive and overwhelming the online world can be, exposing our children to a non-stop stream of harmful content and fueling our national youth mental health crisis,” said Adams said.
“Our city is built on innovation and technology, but many social media platforms end up endangering our children's mental health, promoting addiction, and encouraging unsafe behavior. Today, we’re taking bold action on behalf of millions of New Yorkers to hold these companies accountable for their role in this crisis, and we're building on our work to address this public health hazard."
The filing follows an advisory issued by Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan last month, which emphasized the risks of unlimited social media access. The advisory provides guidance for guardians on safeguarding children, recommending a delay in social media use until at least the age of 14.
Most teens (77%) use YouTube every day, while a slightly smaller majority, 58%, use TikTok daily. About half of teens use Instagram or Snapchat daily, while only 19% use Facebook daily, according to a study by Pew Research.
The lawsuit was filed to force change in certain behavior and recover the costs of addressing the issue as the city spends more than $100 million on youth mental health programs, according to the announcement.
“Our children are facing a mental health crisis fueled by social media companies’ disregard for their safety and wellbeing,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said. “We owe it to our kids to tackle the damaging effects of social media, and I applaud Mayor Adams for taking this important action today to hold these companies accountable.”
Adams also shared a plan called "New York City's Role in the National Crisis of Social Media and Youth Mental Health: Framework for Action," which aims to make social media companies responsible, offer help and education to young people and families, and look into how social media affects youth in the long run.