New York City Mayor Eric Adams reported on February 14, 2024, that his administration has filed a lawsuit against the largest social media companies, including:
- Meta Platforms (Facebook and Instagram)
- Alphabet (Google)
- YouTube
- Snap Inc. (Snapchat) and
- Byte Dance (TikTok)
The lawsuit was filed in California Superior Court on behalf of three plaintiff entities: the City of New York, New York’s Department of Education, and the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation.
What Are the Allegations of the NYC Social Media Lawsuit?
Each of the New York plaintiff entities filed three legal counts against the social media companies in the complaint.
Each entity presented legal arguments based on these three theories of liability:
- Negligence
- Gross negligence
- Public nuisance
In the complaint, the plaintiffs demanded a jury trial to resolve the allegations, payment of financial damages as compensation for injuries suffered, and injunctive relief geared toward changing the social media companies’ actions and behaviors.
This legal action follows numerous social media youth harm lawsuits filed throughout our nation.
These lawsuits are based on research studies that show a link between social media use and serious health concerns, including:
- Anxiety and depression
- Negative body image and self-confidence
- Eating disorders
- Harassment and cyberbullying
- Self-harm
- Suicidal thoughts and tendencies
Several federal social media lawsuits have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation against some of the biggest platforms, including Google, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.
What Do the New York Entities Claim in the Lawsuit Against Social Media Giants?
In general, the pending lawsuit alleges that social media platforms have created an ongoing financial burden on the city. The complaint claims the current youth social media crisis impacts New York schools, hospitals, and other NYC community resources.
In support of the social media lawsuit, NYC Mayor Adams gave a press conference where he described New York City youth who are in a state of constant despair, continually glued to their cell phones and smart devices, all while they are not succeeding in school and losing social skills because of their social media addiction.
During one press conference, Mayor Adams commented, "Our city is built on innovation and technology, but many social media platforms end up endangering our children's mental health, promoting addiction, and encouraging unsafe behavior."
What Does New York City Hope to Achieve?
According to the Mayor, the lawsuit was filed to protect New York’s citizens, especially the younger generation, in a situation that is not currently governed by federal law. Specifically, Mayor Adams stated:
"We're taking bold action on behalf of millions of New Yorkers to hold these companies accountable for their role in this crisis, and we're building on our work to address this public health hazard.
"This lawsuit and action plan are part of a larger reckoning that will shape the lives of our young people, our city, and our society for years to come."
In another statement, the Mayor of New York City further justified the social media lawsuit when he commented, "Over the past decade, we have seen just how addictive and overwhelming the online world can be, exposing our children to a non-stop stream of harmful content and fueling our national youth mental health crisis,"
Why Are Parents, Cities, and Other Entities Filing Social Media Lawsuits?
Currently, there are no federal laws governing social media companies’ actions. Without federal guidance, many feel there is little protection for the millions of young people who use social media. As a result, lawsuits are being filed by school districts, cities, and especially parents who claim social media harmed their children.
For example, one mother made the news by bringing a lawsuit against social media giants Meta and Snap. In her complaint, the plaintiff, Tammy Rodriguez, claimed the “defective design, negligence, and unreasonable dangerous features” created by Meta and Snap led to her daughter’s suicide in July 2023.
Other social media lawsuits raise the legal theory that social media companies knowingly created dangerous or defective products that harm kids and/or addict children to these platforms.
Social Media Companies Knew Children Were Being Harmed Years Ago
Although many people assumed the big social media companies must have known about the problems their young users were facing, it was mostly speculation until the Capitol Hill hearings where a Facebook whistleblower, Frances Haugen, disclosed internal Facebook communications.
The documents revealed Facebook knew about the harm children were experiencing years ago, but it failed to take action to stop the harm or simply address the issues.
All social media companies claim they want young users to have safe and entertaining experiences online. They assert they have created many tools to keep kids safe, but they don’t address the ongoing epidemic of mental and emotional distress suffered by one of the largest and most vulnerable user groups—teens and young adults.
Social Media Companies Reply to Allegations of Youth Harm
In response to allegations of wrongdoing in the media and court documents, spokespeople for the different social media companies have issued statements. Here is a quick summary of the biggest companies’ positions:
Meta
CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologized to families during a U.S. Senate hearing focusing on how social media impacts children. However, he denied responsibility by claiming that since there are no specific laws or other legal obligations included in the user’s relationship with social media platforms, his company does not have to disclose internal information about the platform’s inner workings.
Another spokesperson for Meta claimed, “We've spent a decade working on these issues and hiring people who have dedicated their careers to keeping young people safe and supported online,"
In response to the NYC social media lawsuit, Google spokesperson José Castañeda commented, "Providing young people with a safer, healthier experience online has always been core to our work… In collaboration with youth, mental health and parenting experts, we've built services and policies to give young people age-appropriate experiences, and parents robust controls. The allegations in this complaint are simply not true."
TikTok
"TikTok has industry-leading safeguards to support teens' well-being, including age-restricted features, parental controls, an automatic 60-minute time limit for users under 18, and more," claimed a spokesperson for TikTok.
Snapchat
A Snapchat spokesperson issued a statement claiming, "Snapchat was intentionally designed to be different from traditional social media, with a focus on helping Snapchatters communicate with their close friends. Snapchat opens directly to a camera — rather than a feed of content that encourages passive scrolling — and has no traditional public likes or comments.”
FAQs About Social Media Lawsuits
What legal precedents exist for holding social media companies liable for user harm?
Legal precedents for social media accountability are still evolving. However, cases like Gonzalez v. Google, which reached the U.S. Supreme Court, challenged platforms' immunity under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Such cases have set the stage for deeper scrutiny of how these companies operate.
Can international social media lawsuits influence cases filed in the U.S.?
Yes, international cases, such as the lawsuits filed against Facebook in Ireland over GDPR violations, often serve as reference points. While U.S. laws differ, these cases highlight how global legal frameworks are shaping accountability for social media companies.
How does AI play a role in moderating harmful content on social media platforms?
AI is central to content moderation, using algorithms to detect and flag harmful materials such as hate speech or self-harm promotion. Critics argue that AI lacks the nuance to understand context fully, leading to claims of both over-censorship and negligence.
Can social media companies be held accountable for AI failures in content moderation?
This remains a gray area. Plaintiffs in recent cases argue that companies should be liable when AI-based moderation fails to prevent harm, especially if such failures are due to inadequate programming or understaffing.
What role does user consent play in social media lawsuits?
Defendants often argue that users (or their guardians) consented to terms and conditions, absolving the platform of responsibility. Plaintiffs may counter by claiming such agreements are often vague or fail to disclose potential risks adequately.
What potential liability might arise for social media companies related to advertising content?
If harmful or misleading ads target vulnerable users, companies may face claims for failing to vet such content properly. Lawsuits alleging that targeted ads contributed to addiction or mental health crises are gaining traction.
Can algorithmic amplification of harmful content be a basis for lawsuits?
Yes, several lawsuits claim companies' algorithms actively push harmful content, such as pro-anorexia or self-harm material, to vulnerable users. Plaintiffs argue that these practices prioritize engagement at the expense of user well-being.
What are the potential long-term legal impacts of social media lawsuits?
Successful lawsuits could lead to new industry regulations, heightened corporate transparency, and stricter user safety protocols. They may also inspire legislation limiting the immunity granted to these platforms under Section 230, reshaping the legal landscape significantly.
Trust Lawsuit Legal News to Bring You the Truth About Social Media Lawsuits
The social media lawsuit filed by NYC Mayor Eric Adams marks the passing of another threshold in legal action against social media companies.
At Lawsuit Legal News, we expect the federal multidistrict litigation to see a surge of new cases along with other complaints filed by parents and governmental entities and agencies, all trying to protect our youth from the dangers of social media.
If you or a loved one has been harmed by social media use and want to learn more about bringing legal action against these companies, contact the dedicated team at Lawsuit Legal News today.