Bucks County commissioners and the district attorney have filed a joint lawsuit against several major social media companies, charging the companies and the tech giants behind them for the damage their platforms have caused to the mental health of children in the county. I’m trying to hold them accountable.
A civil complaint filed Tuesday in federal court in California alleges that the companies behind TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat, with platforms designed to encourage addiction among young people, are threatening the youth mental health crisis. He claims that he is inciting.
The complaint says social media companies “can and should take steps to stem the tide of the mental health crisis afflicting America’s social media-addicted youth.”
“For too long, these companies have exploited the mental development of children with no consequences, in exchange for billions of dollars in advertising revenue,” said Commissioner Bob Harvey. ” he said. “The negative impacts of these platforms are real, serious, quantifiable, and cannot be allowed to continue.”
Photo: Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvey addresses members of the media during a press conference on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. At that time, county commissioners, attorneys, and the district attorney announced a joint lawsuit against multiple social media companies.
“Today marks the latest step in holding businesses accountable for serious misconduct that harms our communities,” said County Attorney Joe Kern. “We are proud to come together as a county to lead this important case.”
The complaint alleges that the platform uses gambling-like mechanics to create “intermittent” games that release highly addictive dopamine as users view a continuous stream of algorithmically personalized content and ads. The company claims to be manipulating users with variable rewards (IVR). The complaint says the platform frequently makes design adjustments aimed at maximizing screen time and encouraging excessive and problematic levels of usage.
Teenagers are especially vulnerable to these tactics, the complaint says, because the “social rewards” of social media are even more satisfying to the developing adolescent brain. He also reports that over 90% of children ages 13 to 17 use social media, making this demographic central to the company’s business model.
The complaint alleges that as social media use increases, rates of psychological distress among children are increasing.
“Social media can be a great tool for learning, sharing, and communicating when used well,” said District Attorney Matthew D. Weintraub. “Unfortunately, these companies have chosen to pursue childhood addiction as a business model and treat young people’s attention as a traded commodity.”
Photo: Bucks County District Attorney Matthew D. Weintraub speaks to reporters as County Attorney Joe Kahn looks on during a Wednesday, March 15, 2023 press conference.
In 2021, 51% of female students reported experiencing “persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness,” up from 36% in 2011, according to the complaint. That sentiment increased from 21% to 29% among boys over the same period.
In Bucks County, testing conducted during the 2021-2022 school year found that 34 percent of school-age youth were at risk for moderate to severe depression and 40 percent were at risk for severe anxiety. It turns out there is a risk. More than a quarter of school-aged youth have experienced suicidal thoughts.
The county funds, provides, and supports numerous mental health services for children, teens, and families, but the systems in place are struggling to keep up with the growing levels of hopelessness among young people. I’m having a hard time.
Photo: Bucks County Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo speaks to reporters at a Wednesday, March 15, 2023, press conference about the importance of holding social media companies accountable for the negative impact their products have on children’s mental health. Speak to the group.
At the same time, the county has seen an increase in problematic behavior related to social media, resulting in the commitment of law enforcement resources. In one example in 2022, a teenager was arrested for threatening to “shoot up” a high school on Snapchat. There have also been cases of children participating in TikTok “challenges” causing panic, causing injuries and property damage.
Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd, a leading plaintiffs’ law firm with offices in California and Pennsylvania, is representing the county and the DA’s office in this case. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Oakland, where the law firm has filed similar lawsuits.
Photo: Bucks County Attorney Joe Kahn discusses details of the county’s lawsuit against social media companies Wednesday, March 15, 2023. The lawsuit, filed jointly with the Bucks County District Attorney, seeks to hold social media companies and the tech giants behind them accountable for the harm their platforms have caused to children’s mental health.
Bucks County appears to be the first county government to join the multi-district law.
Click here to read the full 100+ page complaint.
Media contact: James O’Malley, 215-348-6414; [email protected]; Manuel Gamiz Jr., 215-348-6298; [email protected]