On Wednesday, the City of New York initiated legal action against the entities operating SnapChat, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, asserting that these platforms have contributed to a widespread mental health issue among young people by exposing them to harmful content continuously.
Filed in the California Superior Court, the lawsuit contends that these companies deliberately engineered their platforms to entice and addict children and adolescents to social media applications.
Specifically, it highlights the utilization of algorithms to curate feeds aimed at prolonging user engagement and fostering compulsive usage.
Allegations of Manipulation by Social Media Companies
The lawsuit alleged that the social media companies engaged in manipulation tactics, whereby users were induced to react to one positive action with another positive action.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed concern over the addictive and overwhelming nature of the online world, which has exposed children to a continuous flow of harmful content, contributing to a nationwide youth mental health crisis.
Mayor Adams underscored the importance of innovation and technology in the city’s framework but cautioned against certain social media platforms that pose risks to children’s mental health, promoting addiction and unsafe behaviors.
Read more: Instagram Announces End To Political Content Suggestions
Social Media Giants Respond to Lawsuit with Denial
In response to the lawsuit, SnapChat issued a statement refuting the accusations.
Snapchat, intentionally designed to prioritize communication among close friends, stands apart from traditional social media platforms.
Its distinctive feature of opening directly to a camera, rather than a passive scrolling content feed, sets it apart.
Additionally, Snapchat eschews traditional public likes or comments. Ashley Adams, a spokeswoman for Snap Inc., highlighted Snapchat’s ongoing commitment to fostering connections among close friends, aiming to cultivate feelings of connectivity, happiness, and preparedness to navigate the challenges of adolescence.
TikTok, in response to the lawsuit, underscored its commitment to safeguarding the well-being of teens.
The platform implements industry-leading safeguards, such as age-restricted features, parental controls, and an automatic 60-minute time limit for users under 18.
A TikTok spokesperson highlighted ongoing collaborations with experts to stay abreast of emerging best practices, reaffirming the platform’s dedication to addressing industry-wide challenges and ensuring community safety.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, reiterated its steadfast commitment to teen safety. Emphasizing the platform’s top priority of providing safe and age-appropriate online experiences for teens, a company spokesperson highlighted the implementation of over 30 tools and features to support teens and their parents.
Meta emphasized its decade-long dedication to addressing online safety issues, underscored by the recruitment of experts dedicated to keeping young people safe and supported in the online environment.
Read more: Justice Pursued: Seven Individuals Charged In Times Square Officer Attack
