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SOMERSET COUNTY, MD - Somerset County Public Schools has filed a lawsuit against social media giants Meta, Google, ByteDance, Snap Inc., and TikTok.

These companies are being accused of deliberately designing their platforms to target children without adequate warnings. The lawsuit asserts that exposure has led to increased rates of bullying, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, misbehavior and even suicidal thoughts among young users.

It also claims the addictive nature of these products has significantly worsened the youth mental health crisis as these tech companies prioritized financial gains over the safety and well-being of children.

It goes on to allege that surging social media use has created a pressing need for Somerset County Public Schools to provide vital mental health support. Those services apparently depleted resources, required extra training for faculty and staff, and negatively impacted the educational environment.

"If it doesn't get resolved in this lawsuit I think that you can expect to see Congress deal with it and I'm not so sure the social media giants want Congress telling them how to run their business," said Phil Frederico, an attorney representing Somerset County Public Schools in the suit.

"When the taxpayer funds are being used to help the school district really accomodate and treat and deal with the problems that social media causes, that's a waste of taxpayer money," he continued.

Parents we spoke with are on board with the lawsuit.

"My daughter, she's always on Tik Tok, on social media. In school, it's a distraction. It's just taking over the kids, it changes their personality. We can try to have the parent control but then things pop up, you think it's for children and these are inappropriate things for our youngsters today," said Lynnell Fletcher-Pugh.

Somerset County Public Schools shared a statement with WBOC that reads as follows:

"Somerset County Public Schools has seen an increase in students using their phones and social media, as well as an increase in mental health needs across the student body. We want to make sure our students are provided with a great education and a place where their mental health needs are supported,” said Bill McInturff, Somerset Board of Education Chairperson. “Social media companies are targeting our students, and we are now taking steps to address the issues it's causing. This litigation gives us and schools across the country that opportunity.”

 Somerset County Public Schools joined a coalition of school districts, individuals, and state Attorneys’ General aiming to hold social media corporations accountable for the detrimental effects on children's mental health. 

Broadcast/Video Journalist

Hunter is an Anchor and Managing Editor for WBOC. You can see him weeknights at 7, 10 and 11 p.m. He joined Delmarva’s News Leader in June 2021, fulfilling a lifelong passion for working in TV news. Hunter is a Dorchester County native.

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