A Maryland public school is taking legal action against the owners of Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube alleging public nuisance and gross negligence as school administrators cite a worsening mental health crisis and a rise in cyber-bullying.
Prince George’s County, Maryland, Public Schools (PGCPS) filed a nearly 200-page lawsuit against the social media companies Meta, Snap Inc., Byte Dance and Google alleging they were intentionally targeting children with platforms designed to be addictive.
The lawsuit alleges that the social media companies designed the platforms without fully understanding the consequences on children’s mental health. The lawsuit cites the rise in eating disorders, depression and suicidal ideations among teenagers.