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New York City is taking legal action against Meta Platforms, Alphabet, Snap, and ByteDance, alleging that their social media platforms are intentionally designed to addict young people and contribute to a growing mental health crisis. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Manhattan federal court, seeks damages for the city’s increased costs in addressing the fallout from compulsive social media use.
City Joins Nationwide Litigation
The legal challenge comes as a growing number of governments, school districts, and individuals pursue similar claims against social media companies. Approximately 2,050 related lawsuits are currently underway in federal court in Oakland, California. A spokesperson for New York City’s law department confirmed the city strategically withdrew from the California litigation, announced by Mayor Eric Adams in February 2024, to consolidate its efforts in the federal case.
Allegations of Exploitation and Negligence
The 327-page complaint accuses the defendants of gross negligence and disturbing the peace, alleging they deliberately engineered their platforms to “exploit the psychology and neurophysiology of young people” in pursuit of profit. The city argues that these platforms encourage compulsive use, leading to detrimental effects on the well-being of its youth.
New York city, with a population of 8.48 million – including roughly 1.8 million individuals under the age of 18 – is a notable plaintiff in the case. The city’s education and health systems are also named as plaintiffs, reflecting the widespread impact of the alleged harm.
Mounting Evidence of Harm
The lawsuit points to alarming statistics regarding screen time among New York City high school students. According to the complaint, 77.3% of students admit to spending three or more hours daily in front of screens – including televisions, computers, and smartphones – contributing to sleep loss and chronic school absences.
The city’s health commissioner previously declared social media a public health hazard in January 2024, citing the escalating youth mental health crisis and the resulting financial burden on taxpayers.The complaint details increased expenditures required to address the consequences of excessive social media use.
A Link to Dangerous Trends
Beyond mental health concerns,the city has also drawn a connection between social media and a dangerous trend known as “subway surfing” – the practice of riding on the outside of moving trains. Police data reveals at least 16 individuals have died while subway surfing as 2023, including two girls, ages 12 and 13, this month.
Industry Response
Google, through a spokesperson, Jose Castaneda, disputed the allegations, stating that claims regarding youtube are “simply not true.” The company emphasized that YouTube functions as a streaming service, rather than a social network focused on interpersonal connections. The remaining defendants – Meta, Snap, and ByteDance – did not instantly respond to requests for comment.
“The defendants should be held accountable for the harm caused by their conduct,” the city stated. “As it is indeed now, [the] plaintiffs are left to reduce the hassle and foot th
