Boston is suing Meta and several other major social media companies, alleging their platforms have fueled a youth mental health crisis that has strained Boston Public Schools and harmed students.The city, on behalf of Boston Public Schools, filed a federal lawsuit against Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube, alleging the companies deliberately designed addictive features that keep children engaged for longer periods, contributing to worsening mental health among young people. Mayor says platforms use addictive featuresMayor Michelle Wu said Wednesday that the lawsuit seeks to hold social media companies accountable for platform designs she says keep children engaged at the expense of their well-being.”Social media companies have evidence of the harm they are causing to our kids by designing platforms that keep them hooked in endless scrolling and monetizing engagement at the expense of their mental health,” Wu said.She said Boston is taking legal action to protect children and require companies to end what the city calls exploitative practices.Schools report growing mental health needsAccording to the city, Boston Public Schools has experienced a significant increase in student mental health needs over the past decade.The city cited Boston Public Health Commission data showing that 44% of BPS high school students reported persistent sadness in 2021, compared with 27% in 2015.To address those needs, the district has expanded its mental health resources to employ 240 social workers and 105 school psychologists, compared with six social workers and 48 psychologists in 2007. Superintendent cites impact on studentsSuperintendent Mary Skipper said the district has expanded counseling and mental health services while responding to increasing student needs.”The research is clear that social media has had a negative impact on students’ well-being while benefiting companies,” Skipper said.What the lawsuit allegesThe lawsuit alleges social media companies intentionally designed their platforms with addictive features, including endless scrolling, constant notifications and targeted algorithms, to keep young users engaged for longer periods. It also claims the companies failed to implement adequate age verification, allowing children to access the platforms without sufficient protections. Through the lawsuit, Boston is seeking changes to those platform designs and financial compensation to help cover the cost of providing mental health services to students.Case joins nationwide litigationThe lawsuit was filed in federal court in the Northern District of California.The case is expected to be consolidated with lawsuits filed by more than 1,500 school districts nationwide.
BOSTON —
Boston is suing Meta and several other major social media companies, alleging their platforms have fueled a youth mental health crisis that has strained Boston Public Schools and harmed students.
The city, on behalf of Boston Public Schools, filed a federal lawsuit against Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube, alleging the companies deliberately designed addictive features that keep children engaged for longer periods, contributing to worsening mental health among young people.
Mayor says platforms use addictive features
Mayor Michelle Wu said Wednesday that the lawsuit seeks to hold social media companies accountable for platform designs she says keep children engaged at the expense of their well-being.
“Social media companies have evidence of the harm they are causing to our kids by designing platforms that keep them hooked in endless scrolling and monetizing engagement at the expense of their mental health,” Wu said.
She said Boston is taking legal action to protect children and require companies to end what the city calls exploitative practices.
Schools report growing mental health needs
According to the city, Boston Public Schools has experienced a significant increase in student mental health needs over the past decade.
The city cited Boston Public Health Commission data showing that 44% of BPS high school students reported persistent sadness in 2021, compared with 27% in 2015.
To address those needs, the district has expanded its mental health resources to employ 240 social workers and 105 school psychologists, compared with six social workers and 48 psychologists in 2007.
Superintendent cites impact on students
Superintendent Mary Skipper said the district has expanded counseling and mental health services while responding to increasing student needs.
“The research is clear that social media has had a negative impact on students’ well-being while benefiting companies,” Skipper said.
What the lawsuit alleges
The lawsuit alleges social media companies intentionally designed their platforms with addictive features, including endless scrolling, constant notifications and targeted algorithms, to keep young users engaged for longer periods.
It also claims the companies failed to implement adequate age verification, allowing children to access the platforms without sufficient protections.
Through the lawsuit, Boston is seeking changes to those platform designs and financial compensation to help cover the cost of providing mental health services to students.
Case joins nationwide litigation
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in the Northern District of California.
The case is expected to be consolidated with lawsuits filed by more than 1,500 school districts nationwide.