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New York City sues tech giants for allegedly fueling youth mental health crisis

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New York City has filed a sweeping federal lawsuit against Meta, Google, Snap, TikTok, and ByteDance, accusing them of addicting children to social media and worsening a mental health crisis among young users. The 327-page complaint, lodged in Manhattan federal court, seeks damages for gross negligence and public nuisance, alleging that platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok were deliberately engineered to exploit the psychology of youth for profit.

The lawsuit claims the companies’ products have contributed to rising rates of depression, sleep deprivation, and chronic absenteeism among minors. According to the city’s data, more than 77% of New York City high school students spend over three hours daily on screens, and 82% of girls report similar habits.

New York’s health commissioner declared social media a public health hazard earlier this year, citing growing taxpayer burdens to combat mental health challenges in schools. The city also linked compulsive platform use to dangerous behaviors such as “subway surfing,” which has caused at least 16 deaths since 2023.

The case joins over 2,000 similar lawsuits filed nationwide, now consolidated in federal court in Oakland, California. A spokesperson for Google rejected the allegations, saying YouTube is a streaming platform rather than a social network. Other defendants have not yet commented.

The city argues that the companies must be held accountable for the harm caused by their algorithms, which it says have created a costly and deadly youth mental health epidemic.

French Lawmaker Seeks Criminal Probe Into TikTok Over Youth Safety

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A French parliamentary committee examining the psychological impact of TikTok on minors has concluded that the platform endangers the health and lives of young users. On Thursday, committee chair Arthur Delaporte announced he had formally asked the Paris public prosecutor to open a criminal investigation into TikTok.

Allegations Against TikTok

Delaporte, a Socialist lawmaker, accused TikTok of:

  • Deliberately endangering minors’ health and lives.

  • Possible active complicity in exposing children to harmful content.

  • Perjury, alleging TikTok executives misled lawmakers during hearings.

“It seems to me that there are offences of a criminal nature,” Delaporte told franceinfo.

TikTok’s Response

A TikTok spokesperson rejected the findings, calling them “misleading” and saying lawmakers were unfairly making the company a scapegoat. TikTok insisted it enforces strict policies to protect teenagers and their families, including dedicated safety features.

Background

  • The committee was formed in March 2024 following a lawsuit by seven families, who claimed TikTok exposed their children to content encouraging suicide.

  • The final report recommended:

    • Ban on social media use for children under 15.

    • Nighttime curfew (10 p.m. to 8 a.m.) for users aged 15–18.

Wider Scrutiny

TikTok, like other platforms, faces global pressure over child safety. Several countries in Europe, as well as Australia, are weighing restrictions on underage social media use.

French President Emmanuel Macron in June voiced support for an EU-wide ban on social media for under-15s, citing youth safety concerns after a fatal school stabbing.

The decision now rests with the Paris prosecutor, who will determine whether to pursue a formal criminal probe.

Albania Implements One-Year TikTok Ban After Teen’s Tragic Death

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The Albanian government has announced a one-year nationwide ban on TikTok following the killing of a 14-year-old boy in November, an incident that has sparked concerns about the role of social media in youth violence. The ban, aimed at promoting safer environments for children, will come into effect early next year, Prime Minister Edi Rama said during a meeting with parents and educators.

“For one year, we’ll be completely shutting it down for everyone. There will be no TikTok in Albania,” Rama declared.

Broader Social Media Crackdown

This decision aligns with actions taken by several European countries, including France, Germany, and Belgium, which have introduced restrictions on children’s social media use. In November, Australia imposed one of the strictest regulations globally by banning social media for children under 16.

Tragedy Fuels Government Action

The ban follows the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old schoolboy by a peer in November. Reports indicate the violence stemmed from disputes on social media, with videos circulating on TikTok allegedly glorifying the act. Rama blamed platforms like TikTok for exacerbating youth violence, both in and out of school.

“The problem today is not our children, but society, and platforms like TikTok that are taking our children hostage,” Rama stated.

TikTok’s Response

TikTok has denied its platform’s involvement in the incident. A spokesperson claimed the company found “no evidence” that either the victim or the perpetrator had TikTok accounts. The spokesperson also noted that videos linked to the tragedy were reportedly posted on a different platform. TikTok is now seeking “urgent clarity” from Albanian authorities regarding the decision.

The ban is part of Albania’s broader strategy to improve school safety and curb the influence of potentially harmful online content on young users.