San Diego is suing several Big Tech social media companies. San Diego leaders filed the lawsuit last week, which says TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat are harming mental health among young people and creating addictive elements purposefully.

They say that the companies are causing social media addiction by using features that encourage hours of use. They claim that autoplay features and autoscrolling are used by most larger social media companies to keep users engaged for long hours every day.

What Does The Lawsuit Say?

San Diego officials say that  TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat have created an addiction crisis among young people. The case says that, similar to drugs, “Defendants wrote code meant to manipulate dopamine release in children’s growing brains, and, in doing so, created compulsive use of their apps.

The lawsuit argues that they have done everything they can to harvest private information on all of their users and allow advertisements to manipulate them based on that personal data.

Without naming specific research, the lawsuit says that the results are measurable. Youth suicide rates are up nearly sixty percent. Emergency room visits for anxiety attacks among young people are also up nearly 120%. The statistics laid out in the lawsuit on youth mental health and illness are pretty grim, but it’s up to the court case itself to prove that social media is the cause, and that they’re doing it in a way that is reckless, malicious, or negligent.

The lawsuit alleges that the youth in California, and specifically San Diego, have suffered. They are distracted by their devices during classes. They are addicted to social media in large numbers, which could have a lifelong impact.

Is Social Media Really Addictive?

The lawsuit claims that social media is addictive in the same way that gambling can be addictive. Yes, almost anything can be addictive, and research shows this is true for social media. The dopamine reward system in our brains is very real. It helps us make decisions on our likes and dislikes, as well as our good decisions and accomplishments.

Young brains absolutely get natural dopamine releases from real-world experiences such as:

  • Winning a basketball game
  • Solving a tough math problem
  • Getting praise from a teacher or parent
  • Finishing a creative project
  • Spending time with friends

These are healthy, naturally balanced bursts of dopamine. They help kids and teens learn cause-and-effect and build intrinsic motivation. It helps people develop a lifelong habit of doing things because they’re meaningful or satisfying, not just for instant reward.

During childhood and adolescence, the dopamine system is still developing. The brain’s reward circuits mature earlier than the parts that control judgment and impulses. This is why addiction, even to social media, that starts young, can be a pattern of struggle throughout life.

Artificial stimulation from things like social media, video games, sugary foods, alcohol, or drugs causes the brain to release dopamine in much larger, faster bursts than natural rewards do. This can cause some children to seek that reward more often, disrupting other parts of their lives.

Social media is changing children’s brains, and it’s clear that it’s making an impact on their lives and society at large.

What Does This Mean For Parents of Young People?

San Diego’s lawsuit is seeking damages to help young people who experience mental health issues. They are also seeking transparency and more protection for younger users.

In the meantime, people need to talk to children and young people. Paying attention to young people and engaging them in conversations about their mental health goes a long way towards getting them the help they need. Not sure where to start?

Talk about feelings you may have, what mental health means to you, and help reduce stigma by sharing your thoughts on times when you were struggling. Many people who struggle with addiction have dual diagnoses, i.e., they are addicted and also have conditions like anxiety or depression. The good news is that there’s help available.

Getting Help for Addiction

If you or somebody you love is struggling with alcohol or substance use issues, there’s help available. Today is always a good day to get help. Give our compassionate staff a call at 1-800-626-4014.