Written By In recent years, concerns have been mounting over the addictive nature of social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook, especially among younger users. Now, some parents are taking legal action against these tech giants, seeking accountability for their children’s addiction.
The issue of social media addiction is not new. However, with the pandemic keeping people indoors and increasing their reliance on technology, the problem has become more severe. According to a report by Common Sense Media, children now spend an average of four hours a day on screens, with tweens (ages 8-12) spending over six hours a day.
TikTok and Facebook have come under fire for their role in exacerbating this problem. In August 2020, a group of parents in California filed a class-action lawsuit against TikTok, alleging that the app’s design and algorithm are designed to keep users hooked and addicted. The lawsuit claims that TikTok’s algorithm is designed to maximize the amount of time users spend on the app, by showing them an endless stream of content that they are likely to engage with.
Similarly, in July 2021, a group of parents in the UK launched a lawsuit against Facebook, alleging that the company’s “Like” button is harmful to children and violates their privacy. The lawsuit claims that the Like button encourages children to engage in risky online behavior, such as oversharing personal information or seeking validation through likes and comments.
Both lawsuits highlight the issue of social media addiction and seek to hold these tech giants accountable for their role in it. However, legal experts say that it will be difficult to prove that these companies are directly responsible for addiction.
“The question is whether social media companies have a legal duty to warn users of the risks of addiction, and if so, what that duty looks like,” says Scott Burris, a professor of law at Temple University. “Proving that these companies have breached that duty will be challenging, as it will require showing that they knew or should have known about the risks of addiction and failed to take reasonable steps to address them.”
However, even if these lawsuits do not result in a legal victory for the parents, they could still have an impact on the industry as a whole. The lawsuits have brought attention to the issue of social media addiction and the role that tech companies play in it. As a result, these companies may face increased pressure from lawmakers, regulators, and the public to address the issue and make their platforms less addictive.
Already, TikTok has introduced a feature that allows users to set time limits on their usage, while Facebook has rolled out a similar feature that allows users to track their time spent on the app. However, critics argue that these measures are not enough, and that more needs to be done to protect children and vulnerable users from the harms of social media addiction.
In conclusion, the issue of social media addiction is a complex and multifaceted problem that cannot be solved by legal action alone. While parents may be justified in seeking accountability from tech companies like TikTok and Facebook, addressing the issue will require a broader effort that involves education, regulation, and innovation. Only by working together can we hope to create a safer and healthier online environment for all users.
