Recent jury verdicts against major social media companies are fueling a push for Texas lawmakers to restrict access for minors. Two high-profile cases include a California jury finding Meta and YouTube liable for causing social media addition, with the jury awarding $6 million in damages, and the second lawsuit in New Mexico ordering Meta to pay $375 in damages connected with child sexual exploitation.
This week, a California jury found Meta and YouTube liable in a first-ofits- kind case involving social media addiction. The 20year-old plaintiff said her use of the platforms as a child worsened her mental health. The jury awarded her $6 million in damages. The companies have vowed to appeal.
The rulings have spurred Texas State Rep. Jared Patterson (R-Frisco) to refile legislation that would ban minors from social media. He said the two court decisions point to features of social media platforms designed to hook their users, hook them on products and destroy their mental health. Patterson compared it to past litigation against tobacco companies.
Under Patterson’s proposal, minors under the age of 16 would be prohibited from creating or maintaining accounts, mirroring what other countries have done. Previous bills set the age at 18 years old.
Should the legislation pass, Patterson said success would be measured by improvements in youth mental health, noting the rising suicide rate among teens.
According to a study done by the Mayo Clinic, social media is a big part of daily life for lots of teenagers. A 2022 survey of 13- to 17year-olds, based on1,300 responses, the survey found that 35% of teens use at least one of five social media platforms more than several times a day. The five social media platforms are: YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.
The study showed that that use of social media is linked with some healthy and unhealthy effects on mental health which vary from one teenager to another, depending on what they see and do online, the amount of time spent online, psychological factors, such as maturity level and any preexisting mental health conditions, and personal life circumstances, including cultural, social and economic factors.
In a study focusing on 12- to 15-year-olds in the United States, spending three hours a day using social media was linked to a higher risk of mental health concerns. That study was based on data collected in 2013 and 2014 from more than 6,500 participants.
According to studies, social media can pose significant risks to minors, including increased rates of anxiety, depression, body dissatisfaction, and cyberbullying, particularly for those using it for over 3– 5 hours daily. Excessive use disrupts sleep and creates addictive behavioral patterns, often leading to reduced academic performance and exposure to predators, harmful content and unrealistic body images.
Intense social media use is strongly linked to depression, anxiety, low selfesteem and suicidal ideation, particularly in girls aged 10– 14.
Algorithms and features like 'infinite scroll' are designed to keep users engaged, with nearly 25% of adolescents reported to exhibit symptoms of social media addiction.
Over one-third of young people experience cyberbullying, which can lead to social isolation and suicide. Additionally, the FBI has estimated 500,000 sexual predators are active online.
Growing concerns have led to lawsuits against major tech companies regarding their impact on youth, according to reports from Vargas Gonzalez Delombard, LLP.
The American Psychological Association (APA) recommends that parents, policymakers, and tech companies take steps to enhance digital literacy and safety.