New York City sues social media platform over youth mental health crisis

CNN
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New York City is suing Several social media networks claim that the design of their platforms exploits the mental health of young users, costing the city $100 million annually in related health programs and services.

In its lawsuit against TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube, New York City said these platforms are responsible for an increase in mental health problems among young people, including depression and suicidal thoughts. These problems place “a significant burden on cities, school districts, and public hospital systems that provide mental health services to young people,” the complaint says.

The lawsuit challenges social media platform executives to challenge how their platforms lead young users, particularly teenage girls, to harmful content that can harm their mental health and body image. This comes on the heels of facing tough questions from members of Congress during the latest Congressional hearing.

A growing number of families are joining U.S. states and local governments in suing social media companies over their impact on their children's mental health. But at a press conference Wednesday, New York City Mayor Ed Adams said: “New York City is the first U.S. city to take such a large-scale combination of measures and to call out clearly and directly the dangers of social media, just as the Surgeon General did for tobacco and cigarettes. It's a major city.'' Guns. ”

New York City said it is seeking monetary damages and equitable relief to fund preventive education and mental health treatment.

The city also released a social media action plan highlighting ways to hold social media companies accountable, provide education and support to young people and families, and study the long-term effects of social media on young people.

A Snap spokesperson told CNN that the platform is “intentionally designed to be different from traditional social media,” allowing users to connect with their closest friends by opening up directly to a camera rather than a feed of content. He said his focus is on being able to communicate.

“We always have so much work to do, but Snapchat plays a role in helping close friends connect, feel happy, and feel prepared as they face the many challenges of adolescence.” I am satisfied with my role,” the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, said it offers more than 30 tools and features to support Instagram and Facebook parents.

“We have spent 10 years tackling these issues and hiring people who have dedicated their careers to keeping young people safe and supported online,” a spokesperson said.

TikTok and YouTube did not respond to requests for comment.

Last month, Mayor Adams called social media a “public health hazard” and an “environmental toxin” in his State of the State address.lawsuit This also builds on last year's Surgeon General's warning that social media posed a “serious risk of harm”. for children.

Announcing the action plan, Mr Adams said he was increasingly concerned about the “dangerous” and “addictive” features affecting young people's lives.

“Instead of talking to each other over lunch in the cafeteria, they're glued to their screens,” he said. “Instead of playing in the park with friends, they click and scroll indoors on sunny days. Instead of learning confidence and resilience, they are exposed to content that often leads to anxiety and depression.”

He said the move to sue these companies is a “bold move on behalf of millions of New Yorkers” to hold these companies accountable for their role in this crisis.

But suing social media platforms in the U.S. is extremely difficult because of Section 230, a 28-year-old federal law that protects tech companies from liability for content posted by users on their platforms.

In contrast, under the EU's Digital Services Act, companies can be charged up to 6% of their global revenue if they break the law.

CNN's Nick Anderson contributed to this report