Boston Suing Meta and Other Social Media Companies over Alleged Addictive Features for Students
The case says addictive platform features and weak safeguards have driven a rise in student mental health needs, with more than 1,500 districts in related litigation.
- On Wednesday, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced a lawsuit against Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube, alleging the companies deliberately target minors with addictive platform features contributing to a "youth mental health crisis."
- Data from the Boston Public Health Commission showed persistent sadness among high schoolers rose from 27 percent in 2015 to 44 percent in 2021, prompting the district's expansion of mental health resources.
- Filed in the Northern District of California, the complaint alleges "addictive design features" like endless scrolling and targeted algorithms harm students and will be consolidated with more than 1,500 similar cases.
- A Meta representative stated the company "strongly disagree" with the allegations, maintaining they are "confident the evidence will show longstanding commitment to supporting young people."
- Massachusetts lawmakers continue pursuing regulation; last week the state Senate unveiled a bill requiring companies to automatically disable addictive features for minors, building on proposals by Gov. Maura Healey.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Hanford Sentinel
Boston HeraldBoston Mayor Wu sues Meta, other ‘addictive’ social media apps that target children
BOSTON — Mayor Michelle Wu said the City of Boston, on behalf of the Boston Public Schools, has filed a lawsuit against Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, and other addictive social media companies she says are harming students’ mental health. Wu said…
By Suevon LeeTo read this article in English in WBUR, click here. Boston City and Boston Public Schools (BPS) sued Meta and other social media companies for implementing what they qualify as "addictive design functions" on their platforms, which, they claim, harm the mental health of children and adolescents."Boston is taking legal action to protect children and young people and demand that these companies be held accountable," Mayor Michelle Wu…
Boston sues social media companies over 'addictive' features, joining nationwide litigation
Boston officials say that social media has led to a significant downturn in the mental health of students over the past decade. The post Boston sues social media companies over ‘addictive’ features, joining nationwide litigation appeared first on Boston.com.
Boston suing Meta and other social media companies over alleged addictive features for students
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced Wednesday that she has filed a lawsuit against social media giant Meta and other companies, accusing them of deliberately targeting children with addictive features.
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