San Mateo County Board of Education Sues Social Media Companies for Fueling Youth Mental Health Crisis

The rise of social media has greatly impacted youth mental health, behavior, and development. Now one county board of education wants Big Tech to pick up the tab.

The San Mateo County Board of Education and its superintendent have filed a lawsuit against TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube for creating a "destructive environment for children.” School officials say they have been forced to deal with the impacts, using precious resources to mitigate social media-fueled mental health crises and behavioral problems. 

In addition to increased bullying and suicides, the lawsuit cites viral challenges that have resulted in damages to school property. It compares social media companies to Big Tobacco, alleging that their platforms are intentionally designed to target and exploit young people. 

The social media companies say they have already taken steps to prevent harm to children by establishing parental controls and age restrictions. Educators believe these measures haven’t gone nearly far enough. They’re seeking to have the companies shoulder part of the monetary cost.

Read more about the lawsuit at the San Mateo Daily Journal.