Social media addiction is a new phenomenon that has been around since its introduction two decades ago. Starting as a way to bond with friends and relatives, social media has now created issues of cyber bullying, spreading fake news, propaganda and more seriously, addiction. In California, two judges allowed children to sue social media platforms for causing addiction.
Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against social media platforms TikTok, Snap, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram in California for causing addiction among children. Social media platforms use the right to freedom of speech enshrined in the US constitution to avoid being sued.
But two judges in California said the lawsuit could go ahead because the platform's owners have authority over minors. Various features introduced on the platform can cause addiction in minors. Therefore the platform owner can be blamed for creating a platform that creates addiction.
This judge's decision is similar to the court's decision on electronic cigarette/vape sellers in the United States. Although vaping is not marketed to minors, it appeals to them because of its attractive design, is advertised as harmless and is offered with liquid flavored with addictive nicotine. The vape company JUUL was forced to pay New York $462 million in damages after its advertising tactics were found to target teenagers.
If the suit in California is in favor of the plaintiff, it will have a big impact on social media owners in the United States and beyond the world. There is already an opinion that social media will be seen as dangerous to health as cigarettes which used to be said to be good for health. Do you agree with this opinion?