Seattle schools sue tech giants over social media harm

By GENE JOHNSON
Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) — The public school district in Seattle is suing the tech giants behind TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Snapchat, seeking to hold them accountable for the mental health crisis among youth. Seattle Public Schools filed the lawsuit Friday in U.S. District Court. The 90-page complaint says the social media companies have designed and marketed their products to children, worsening mental health and behavioral disorders including anxiety, depression, disordered eating and cyberbullying — and forcing the schools to take steps such as hiring additional mental health professionals. Two of the companies — Google and Snap — said in emailed statements Sunday they had prioritized the mental and emotional health of children who use their platforms.